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Veterans Day
Veterans have earned a real day of remembrance
By JEFF WEBB
Published November 11, 2004
Today is Veterans Day. If you're a government employee, you have the day off from work. If you are one of the few civil servants who must work, you'll get extra pay or a day off later in the week.
If you are a school district employee or a student, you, too, will enjoy a holiday today.
You don't have to be a veteran to enjoy the perk of this legal federal holiday.
But, if you toil in the private sector (except at a bank), today likely will be just another workday, even if you served your country as a member of the U.S. armed forces.
That ought to change.
First, Hernando County schools should be open and teachers should be required to set aside their lesson plans and dedicate a day to learning why veterans' service to this country has been - and remains - invaluable.
Veterans should be invited into the schools. But the learning should not be limited to the classroom. It should reach into the community, perhaps with field trips to a veterans hospital or nursing home, or attending parades or ceremonies sponsored by veterans' organizations.
Teachers should not glorify, romanticize or endorse war, past or current. But they should teach young people to distinguish between war and the people who are unfortunate enough to fight them.
Of course, parents need to do their part to educate their children about the role veterans play in our country, and the importance of honoring those who have answered the call to duty. But teachers may be better equipped to take the lead on that learning experience.
Second, why don't the flag-waving politicians put their patriotism where there mouths are and declare Veterans Day an honest-to-goodness holiday for all honorably discharged veterans? They are quick to recognize vets with a proclamation, or in a speech, or with a round of applause. As a Vietnam-era vet, I can say it's appreciated, but the acknowledgement has become so cliche it lacks meaning.
However, an honest-to-goodness holiday for deserving veterans would be a tangible repayment for the largely thankless sacrifice made by so many Americans to preserve the freedoms we all cherish.
And now would be an ideal time to explore the idea. Today's service men and women are risking their lives every day to overcome an elusive enemy in a difficult war. Our nation is churning out a whole new generation of war veterans. Our children and grandchildren are joining the ranks of those who served during World War II, the Korea, Vietnam, Central America and the first Gulf War.
The nation just went through an election, the most democratic of all processes. For most, it was an emotional and passionate experience. Even traditionally apathetic voters found it hard to sit this one out. Many proudly declared that they cast their vote to support the troops. Would they be inclined to offer the troops - and their predecessors - more than lip service by offering them an annual paid holiday?
Florida has the second-highest population of veterans in the United States. Many older veterans are retired and many may not be around much longer. Is it too optimistic to think that Florida's Legislature could lead the way on this, making our state an example for others to follow? Would they have the courage to place a referendum on the 2006 ballot and let voters decide for themselves?
Veterans Day was created to remember and honor veterans. It was established in 1911 as Armistice Day, and in 1952 it was renamed and broadened to include all veterans of the U.S. armed forces. Veterans Day is not to be confused, as too many do, with Memorial Day, which is set aside to remember veterans who have died in war.
You may not agree with me that schools should be open or that today should be a legal holiday for veterans. That's cool. That's why this page is labeled "Opinion" and why some soldier, sailor, airman or Marine spent a few years of his or her life protecting your right to free speech.
Why not take a minute today to thank a friend, neighbor or co-worker who, during wartime or peacetime, earned the right to make that claim.
Reach Jeff Webb at webb@sptimes.com or 352 754-6123.
[Last modified November 11, 2004, 06:42:01]
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