Veterans Day, 2024. What Is To Be Done?

Veterans Day, 2024. What Is To Be Done?
Veterans Day, 2024. What Is To Be Done?
As I was thinking about what to write this Veterans Day, I looked back at an article I wrote almost 10 years ago. The piece was titled “Thanking Veterans on Veterans Day”. In the article, I described an encounter in Bend, Oregon during which I was wearing a Vietnam veteran hat much like the soldier in the Fehrenbacher cartoon above. In the case in Oregon, I was approached by a woman who wanted to thank me for my service, however, the situation seemed a bit awkward, even scripted, for me at least. Again, what to say to a veteran?
My ultimate suggestion to the readers, to avoid awkwardness on either side, was “If you think the service of any veteran was worthwhile …and actually helped to protect the freedoms we all enjoy, tell [the veteran]...”
- That you participate as a citizen in government at some level
- That you write to your representatives on issues of importance to you
- That you discuss politics and government with your family at the dinner table
- That you expose your children to the process of government at city or county council meetings
- That you take your family to visit the state capital or our nation's capital to learn it workings
- That you insure that civics and government is taught in our schools
- That you take your children to historic sites and explain their significance
- That you value the teaching of history and critical thinking skills
- That you demand our nation care for the men and women it has sent to war
- That you vote and, moreover, that you vote for men and women of peace
So again, my call goes out to all citizens to demonstrate patriotism by engaging in the activities listed above. Thank veterans and validate their service by participating. Fly the U.S. flag, if you wish, but it is by deeds that the sacrifice of veterans is made meaningful.
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