It was a somber day across the nation Wednesday as community after community paid homage to its veterans as the mournful “Taps” echoed from bugles and volleys of 21-gun salutes were fired. There were also happier recognitions of the sacrifices of veterans, including free buffets at restaurants, handshakes followed by “thank-you for serving,” and calls to loved ones to say a few words.
Here in Elkhart County the traditional salute was held on the courthouse lawn. At the end of two rows of bright red, white and blue flags is the county’s roll of those who have died in several of the nation’s wars. We urge each of our readers to go to the courthouse lawn and read the list, touch the names etched in bronze with their fingers and ponder the losses each of those families have suffered.
But Veterans Day is not Memorial Day, where the nation focuses on the service members who have died in action. Yes, we should remember the fallen on Veterans Day, but the day should be more about honoring the living veterans. There are many among us.
In our community we have men and women who served all over the world during World War II. We also have men who walked up and down the Korean Peninsula in bitter cold in an attempt to keep the communists from the North from overrunning the democracy-minded people of the South. And our Vietnam veterans are many. These men were drafted and left our communities in ones and twos. There were no large turnouts to send them off in buses as happened in World War II and no parades when they returned after their tour.
Instead, they arrived back home just as unnoticed as when they shipped out. That shame of lack of recognition for their sacrifice is now evaporating. Vietnam veterans now get rousing cheers and applause when they march in local parades. This is the way it should be.
The veterans of the Gulf War have been joined by the veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as the “new group” of veterans. All have served well and deserve our never-ending gratitude.
Other members of our communities have served at far-flung U.S. bases throughout the world. Their service also has been very important to our country.
So, to all you veterans, we say “thank you.” We are very fortunate to have you among us.
