Celebrating Veterans

Each Veterans Day should be a time when Americans stop and remember the brave men and women whose lives were often interrupted in the service of their country. Many risked their lives for the United States of America—to preserve the freedoms its citizens enjoy.

Did you know that Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day and was established to honor the veterans of World War I? Do you know why it’s celebrated on November 11?

A temporary cessation of hostilities, or armistice, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect at 11:00 AM on November 11, 1918—the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, commemorating the end of World War I.

Ceremonies commemorating Veterans Day occur each year at 11:00 AM on November 11 at the memorial amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington Cemetery when the presidential wreath is laid upon the tomb.

I’ve been fortunate to attend ceremonies at The Wall—the memorial honoring those who died during the Vietnam conflict—in Washington DC with my husband, Carl, on Veterans Day. Carl is a Vietnam Veteran who served in the Marine Corps’ Aircraft Wing.  In 2012 during one of these visits, he met and talked with fellow Marines who also served in the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa and Vietnam during that conflict. There are ties that bind them.

This year I was proud to contribute to a book, Unbreaking the Circle: Stories of Service. The book was published by SouthWest Writers with a grant from New Mexico Arts. It is an anthology that contains stories and poems representing diverse experiences related to the military written by veterans and family members. The piece I contributed, Beyond the Tears, reflects on visits to The Wall.

Military service often breaks circles—of place, time, relationships, and sometimes life—breaks borne by family members and caregivers as well. Writing their stories and telling their stories has been cathartic for many of the contributors. The anthology’s purpose is to promote connection through the arts and healing through those connections.

Today we have Veterans from new wars and conflicts.  It's important to honor them and help them with their transition back into civilian life. Hiring veterans is a sound business investment. They are quick learners, are committed, can work in fast-paced as well as diverse environments, are respectful and often bring strong leadership qualities.

So, as you stop to reflect on what veterans have done for you and your country—preserving your freedoms—consider that the best way to celebrate and honor them is with jobs.