Veteran’s Day: A Primer

November 11 is Veteran’s Day in the United States.

It’s been that way since 1919 when President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 Armistice Day (the original name). He noted:

“To us in America the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with – solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service, and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of nations.”

Declared on the first anniversary marking the end of World War I, Woodrow wanted to pay tribute to that war and those who were affected by it.

He did not intend for the holiday to reflect the dead so much as those who participated then, and as events have played out, anyone who served in the United States armed forces.

Dead or alive.

Memorial Day

The distinction is important because, as my veteran husband likes to point out to well-meaning greeters on Memorial Day, “I’m still alive.”

Memorial Day, traditionally marking the start of summer, is the last Monday in May. It originally was called “Decoration Day,” when inaugurated in 1868 to remember the dead from the American war between the states.

Service members in Decatur, Illinois began the tradition of decorating the grave of union soldiers who died during the war.

Down south, the family members of Confederate soldiers were doing the same thing.

The two days were combined into one in the 20th century, and often mingled with remembrances for deceased soldiers in all wars.

Veteran’s Day

My family seldom makes a big deal about Veteran’s Day and my personal veteran often works on that day.

It’s helpful, however, to tell the stories to our children and grandchildren, reminding them of the sacrifices family members made, often far from home.

Henry Arthur Dial died during the French and Indian War.

The Posey brothers served in the Continental Army.

J.S. Hanks led men for the Confederate Army.

Duvals and Posey also served in the CSA, with one killed at Gettysburg and several ending up in a prisoner of war camp.

Antonio cooked during WWI.

Ben and Joe served in Korea–both on aircraft carriers.

Claude cared for electronic equipment in the Air National Guard.

Lou instructed at Great Lakes Training Command in Chicago.

Bob fixed submarines during the Cold War.

Carl played the clarinet as an Army musician.

Telling stories or not?

A gentle, sweet man who spent the rest of his life teaching high school band and leading the church choir, Carl never spoke of the war years.

We later learned that musicians, particularly in the South Pacific during WWII, had another duty.

They cleared the beaches of bodies after a battle and helped bury them.

Cael did return to the South Pacific several times after the end of the war, where he learned the songs of the islands and shared in their church ceremonies.

While Carl spoke of the post-war years there, he never discussed his life during WWII in the same area.

Antonio gained American citizenship as a result of his service and joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

He cooked at their fundraisers for years.

My father’s ridiculous stories of his Navy adventures were the source of laughter and pride.

Being sworn in as an officer and gentleman meant a great deal to him, always.

My own husband led his family to duty stations around the country and even to Hawai’i.

We will dine out on submarine stories for the rest of our lives–and they’re good ones!

Enduring friendships, but a need for thanks?

Living in close quarters, sometimes in perilous conditions develops friendship bonds that don’t break.

A look will cross their eyes, or the stories escalate when men and women who served together meet.

It’s an honor to hear the stories and that’s all you really need to do.

Thank them for their service?

Most of the veterans I know don’t care.

They’re just happy to have served and to have come home.

Thank you, all.

Tweetables

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