It is Veterans Day in the United States. In other countries today is Armistice Day, to remember the end of World War I. It was that in the U.S., too, until it became Veteran’s Day, during which we honor all who have served in the Armed Forces and who were discharged from their service under Honorable conditions.
You all know the history of the day, though. It is not for me to give you a lesson here in the background of Veterans Day, of President Wilson or explain why it’s a Federal holiday, whether you’ll get mail or if your bank is open, or even where to go and get discounts if you happen to BE veteran (which I assume many of our readers are), or even relate a personal story.
Instead I wanted to say what I like most about the idea of Veterans Day. You note that I’m not putting an apostrophe. Veteran’s. The Department of Defense doesn’t, either. They say it’s a day FOR veterans, not one that BELONGS to them.
I like that. A veteran wouldn’t want to own it. Have you ever seen one of those videos where someone gives up a seat to an active duty member of the military on a plane? They’re pretty great. But you notice the service member never ASKS for that seat. They also take it humbly without dissembling.
You see what I’m saying? They don’t ask to be given this honor, and they don’t refuse it. You offer, they accept. That’s humble and graceful at once. That’s how veterans feel about their service.
They gave it. And when you honor that, they accept that honor graciously. Not demanding it, not indulging hubris, not owed or due. Stalwart, instead. They are, you see, in service still.
A veteran isn’t on Active Duty anymore, but they are always, always, always actively on duty.
You can thank a vet today. They might seem shy, but they’ll accept your thanks with the professionalism and class that we expect of our military.
It is Veterans Day. A day America honors our veterans. It’s for the good of the country to do so. Especially now. Especially this year. Honoring military service honors America. And a vet will always do what’s good for the country.
Amen.