Veterans Day is a federal holiday that was created at the end of WWI to honor the soldiers who served in the war. As of today, there are about 20 million veterans in the US to whom our nation will forever be indebted to. Without war veterans, the US would still be an English colony, the Nazi’s would have remained in control, and South Korea would be communist. Regardless of opposing opinions on these conflicts, veterans and their families have made tremendous sacrifices for our freedoms and the protection of democracy across the world. AmeriNcan soldiers across the centuries have given up their lives, suffered PTSD, and made difficult transitions back into civilian life for our collective benefit. Yet, many Americans are unaware of these sacrifices and are satisfied offering nothing more than a mere “thank you for your service” on Veterans day.
While we should be very appreciative of veterans, the phrase has become a shallow, insincere action that does little to honor soldiers. Many do not understand the extent of the sacrifices soldiers have made, so “thank you for your service” becomes more cliche than meaningful.
Not only does war separate families, it often claims lives. When Veterans Day does not even merit a day off of work or school to honor those who risked their lives for our country, it communicates the indifference of the institution. Schools convey that it is more important to cram in another day of academic content than it is to teach students about the contributions veterans have made to our society. Additionally, it is an emotional day for many who have lost loved ones in battle and requiring them to attend school or work is insensitive at best and heartless at worst.
At the very least, schools should educate students about the significance of Veterans Day and its purpose. Better yet, schools could coordinate events, speakers, and opportunities for students to engage with organizations that support veterans. In the past seven years, DSST: Byers has failed to give Veterans Day the attention it deserves. This lack of acknowledgement is a missed opportunity to inform students about our country’s history and those who have greatly contributed. Taking advantage of recognizing this federal holiday could be a way to start the conversation and restore the meaning in “thank you for your service”.