A member
of VSPA who just returned from a trip to Vietnam--hope to hear more
from him later.
For many people, Veterans Day is kind of a 'nothing' day.
Not quite a holiday, because so many stores will be open in anticipation
of the holiday shopping season. And not quite a "fun"
day, since summer is a faded memory and the chilly winds of Autumn may
keep many of as homebound, with "nothing to do."
Many will just dawdle over their morning coffee
and try not to think about going back to work Tuesday. But for those
who would like to escape the doldrums that now seem to acCO the
day intended to honor and recognize the sacrifices and contributions
of American men and women who have worn our country's uniform, a few
humble suggestions are offered:
We could reflect on the origins of Veterans Day, formerly
known as "Armistice Day." It was on the 11th hour of the 11th
day of the 11th month in 1918, when the fighting in World War I officially
ended. It was called "The War to End All Wars.” We could
remind ourselves that we have to keep trying.
One way to remind ourselves
of the need to end war, is to visit one of the Veterans Administration
hospitals, and other places to offer a kind word to one or more of the
in-patient veterans, some of whom might otherwise spend a lonely day,
bedridden or wheelchair bound.
Some are aged World War II, or aging Korean War
veterans. Others are Vietnam veterans who fought in a different
kind of war where, according to 'VFW' magazine, "Amputations or
crippling wounds to lower extremities were 300 percent higher than in
World War II, and 70 percent higher than in Korea. Of course, visiting
a VA hospital wouldn't be for everyone.
A number of ceremonies and activities are
planned for Veterans Day in which the whole family Can take part and
enjoy. If you choose to brave the inevitable brisk November winds, you
may be struck by the sight of many "new" Americans, hard-working
immigrants who have come here to take jobs that nobody else seems to
want, to stake their claim to the Veterans Day American dream for themselves
and their children. They will be easy to spot because they will
be waving their little American flags and cheering the loudest as the
parade passes down the street – just as we native-born Americans used
to do in years past.
Visit a homeless shelter: Come spend some time with
350 men and women veterans who live at the shelter - people who are
asking only for a "hand up" and not a handout as they receive
counseling, support services and job training to help themselves get
back into society. On top of all that, a simple handshake could
do much to help them on their way back from a hell that, thankfully,
most of us will never know. A warm smile can do as much for them
as a warm bed or a hot meal.
If none of these things fit into your schedule,
you could simply call or call upon a veteran that you know, and say,
"Thank you.” You could say (like I've seen on some bumper stickers
about Vietnam), "I wasn’t there, but I care.”