Veterans Day
At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the guns fell silent. The Great War, The War to End All Wars, was over…for a couple of decades.
The red poppies of Flanders fields became a symbol of that war and the veterans that returned from it. Known as Remembrance Day in much of the world, the poppies will be in evidence. Remembrance Day observances have more in common with the American Memorial Day as a day to honor those who have died in war.
First called Armistice Day in the United States, the name was changed to Veterans Day, and its purpose changed to honoring those who are serving, or have served in the military. The change was made to avoid a conflict with the existing Memorial Day observance that goes back to the Civil War era.
A heart felt salute to everyone who managed to survive basic training. We can hope that sooner, rather than later, there will be no need for another generation to put on uniforms.
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Over at my place, Happy Veterans’ Day to veterans who’ve been deported. For some definition of the word “happy”. Turns out thousands of veterans have been deported over the years, generally for committing minor crimes while on green card status after they thought they had already become citizens. They qualify for all the benefits of U.S. veterans like access to the VA but aren’t allowed into the country to receive them.
About 10% of the guys in my basic training flight were not citizens, but were using military service to speed up the process. I think they had to finish their 6-year Reserve tour and not just the active duty part, but the honorable discharge moved them to the head of the line.
The US has screwed over Filipino vets for decades. They have been allowed to be cannon fodder but shouldn’t expect any reward for their service.