Veteran’s Day should be cancelled
Both WWII veterans I've known personally have largely ignored Veteran's Day. But I never thought about it, really. I thought it was a holiday for them, not me. Lately, though, I think I do have an opinion. I think there is plenty wrong with Veteran's Day.
1. What about all the other casualties of war?
For example, my mom and dad had me immediately after college graduation as a way to avoid the draft. I ask my mom and dad now how they could have been so incompetent as parents, yet so interesting in the world (really, everyone loves being around my mom, except her kids. It's uncanny.) They each say that they had kids too young. They were totally unprepared.
So I see the war ruining many lives at home, but we only talk about people who fought at the front. It doesn't make any sense to me. War ripples throughout society.
And what about all the women who keep things going while men go off to fight? What about the army wives who move their families around endlessly as the government moves their husbands? What about the kids who lived in 20 cities and never learned how to make a friend? What about the high divorce rate for people in the armed forces? Why are we only thanking veterans for giving their time? What about all the people who gave up safe, secure lives because one family member was in the armed forces?
2. Veterans of WWII did not “give their lives for their country.”
What else were we going to do in WWII? Stay out of war? Let Hitler kill two million more people? Let all of Russia starve to death? There comes a point when we are moral beings and we have to get involved because we could not live with ourselves if we didn't. During WWII, women took over industry, and men went overseas to fight. Didn't the women give up a lot in their lives as well? Why do we not celebrate the sacrifice on the domestic front, too? Why do we not celebrate the people who waited in line for food in order to ensure food for the troops overseas? Veterans alone do not fight a war: they do it as a team, with non-veterans.
3. Veterans of Vietnam hated Vietnam.
How can we celebrate people being veterans of Vietnam when they were forced to go there with a draft? It seems disingenuous to me to force people to fight in a war they think is totally stupid, and then tell them we celebrate their sacrifice. People want to be celebrated for what they choose to do, for what they are proud of, for what they feel like they did well. Vietnam veterans think Vietnam sucked. We can honor them by not fighting stupid wars anymore.
Of course, we are not doing that.
4. Veterans of recent wars do not go in order to serve our country.
Okay. Please. I'm telling you the truth here: Anyone who has a great career ahead of them, and makes enough money to support their family, and is genuinely admired for how well they have navigated their life so far, is unlikely to enlist in the armed forces.
It's telling that the military has to lure recruits with free college to get them to risk their lives. The people who will risk their lives do not perceive that they have a way to pay for college.
How about in honor of Veteran's Day, we give citizens a way to earn a good living besides leaving their kids for nine months at a time and risking their lives at war?
So Veteran's Day is predicated on the idea that people choose to give their lives for this country. And it's false. People give their lives for values they believe in. And in recent history, that does not include the wars we fight. People are selling their lives for a chance to reach their American Dream.
5. We should replace Veteran’s Day with National Service Day
We need to think through again what Veteran's Day means. And then cancel it. President Obama had a great idea calling for a National Day of Service – where we all get out and do service as a way to celebrate service. While he did not intend for it to be a yearly event, I think this is a fine replacement for Veteran's Day. It is a way to celebrate service, and encourage service, without the hypocrisy of war.
There have always been infinite ways to serve the ideas of the United States without going to war: men who give up high-paying jobs to run for office, women who campaigned for the right to vote, parents who sacrifice health insurance in order to work at a non-profit that can't afford insurance. These people give resources and take risks in order to make the world a better place. We should use National Service Day to thank these people for their service. Because what we're doing now—celebrating military service over everything else—is teaching people that one is more valuable than the other.
you are one ignorant B*&%H
How about if we cancil CEASAR CHAVEZ DAY,MARTIN LUTOR KING DAY,HARVEY MILK DAY and most of all EARTH DAY and tell whinnie granola munching tree hugging pantiewastes to GET A LIFE
Semper Fi, de Opresso Liber, and e pluribus unum. None of these mean a thing without those who have served and are now veterans. Veterans Day is but one day when we can focus our attention on those who served in military conflicts on behalf of the American people and for the benefit of many. To question its value or relevance is an intellectually vapid act (stupid). Ms. Trunk, focus your negative attention elsewhere where your talents and gifts may be better suited to serve others rather than to berate causes aiming to amplify gratitude to veterans. C’mon.
I am a proud Navy wife and my husband fights proudly for this country! He has been deployed to Iraq and is currently serving in Afghanistan. He is extremely intelligent and had a variety of options open to him, however, he opted to serve this great country and protect the freedom of all, even those who do not appreciate the sacrifices that he makes, like you. No, he does not want to be separated from me nor our 2 year old daughter but he does it because he believes in protecting the freedoms that so many take for granted. I am sure that I know more service members than you do so please believe me when I say my that while my husband is extraordinary, he is not unique. There are many, many, many more men and women just like him!
Wow. I am a liberal and proud of it, and this post makes my stomach turn. I agree with so many of the posts here, including scotty’s most recently, and plenty of others who make valid points about your ignorance, not to mention the sad irony of your self-absorbed whining. I support those who hate war, especially unjustified ones, but to insult, belittle, and offend those who serve (and to hold them responsible for the unjustified wars)? You are just so wrong, so ill-informed, that I needed to add my voice to the chorus.
I do agree that your parents should not have had you at such a young age, or even at all. They did a horrible job of teaching you respect and honor. You are incredibly stupid, disrespectful and foolish.
Penelope,
You and your family are a blight on America and all that she stands for. You are honestly a flipping idiot and need to leave. GET OUT! We don’t want you here! Go to Iraq, they will treat you well. I think your parents should have prayed to become 1/10 of the men and women our armed forces are and maybe they would have done the right thing, did their duty and would have blessed the world without your disgusting presence. If only your father was a brave as the soldiers are now, but no he was a coward and raised a coward who spews stuff about men and women that he can never in a million years wish to become because he chose to cowards way out. Thank you for this article and thank you for pointing out what a family of cowards you are. What a joke. Again, GO AWAY! We don’t like cowards but if we did you and your family would get your own day. We would name your day "Cowards Day".
I’m a combat veteran of Iraq, and I agree that the people at home suffer. Still, I think you should experience combat before calling for the abolition veteran’s day. Since that’s probably not possible, at least read about it and interact with people who have experienced it. Veteran’s day is for the men who, although physically intact, carry a brutal psychological burden. We can at least recognize them.
I graduated high school with sufficient scholarships to sail through college. I had every expectation of success and comfort. I enlisted in the Marine Corps as an infantryman to defend my country. I am not every veteran, but if you look at enlistment statistics, you’ll see that many like me have done the same when there is a perceived threat to the US. Whether or not the threat was real, we can at least recognize their courage.
Veterans of Vietnam may not have liked Vietnam or thought it necessary, but they still fought, and they still suffer for it. Regardless of their conclusions about the war, we can at least recognize their commitment.
No one is perfect; I certainly am not. Still, we can strive to be honorable, and that requires first recognizing honorable behavior.
The abolition of veteran’s day will not affect me: my family and friends will continue to thank me, and I will continue to be grateful for their safety. Other veterans may not be so lucky. Don’t punish good men because others have failed.
Since no one else has said it (as far as I can see that is) I will say it, Veterans Day DOES NOT HAVE AN APOSTROPE. Seeing it written that way repeatedly was painful for me. I see you write a column, I hope your editor there is better than the one you have for this blog. The grammar on this post was poor and the writing unprofessional. Stupid and sucks do not belong in professional writing.
As someone with an MBA I find it frightening you run a company to help people with their careers. You clearly do not understand the career choices and training that are available through the military.
I will not attack your opinion because it is just that, your opinion. And many people died to protect your right to state that opinion. Here is mine, the least we can do for those people is to honor their sacrifice.
You have a punctuation error. Is your degree from the Internet?
Cancil CEASAR CHAVEZ DAY,EARTH DAY,MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY and HARVEY MILK DAY instead
The hypocrisy of war is one reason why we should have Veterans Day. A day to contemplate why we sent our soldiers to fight a war in the first place and a day for veterans to tell us the reality of a war, conflict, or whatever. I’m not a veteran but have known and worked with many veterans. As well as I have known them (or thought I knew them), I was an ‘outsider’ when they got together with other people who had been in the military and discussed their experiences. They are close to fellow members of the service, their family and close friends, and people they came in contact with amidst the fighting – more so than the civilian at home.
This thought was further reinforced recently by an article I read ( http://www.theatlanticwire.com/features/view/feature/Why-Some-Veterans-Hate-it-When-You-Say-Thank-You-2738 ) . A very good article that includes “some veterans say that hearing strangers tell them “thank you” can be awkward or downright painful.” and “As a young person who served in a war you made, I don’t want your handshake, your pity, your daughter’s phone number, or your faded bumper sticker. I did my frigging job so now do yours. Baby Boomers and Generation X: I want your leadership.” The discussion was started by a very thoughtful blog post ( http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/12/08/you_can_go_strangle_yourself_with_that_yellow_ribbon ) by a four-tour Marine who fought in Iraq. He makes the argument for reinstating the draft because for one reason we’d likely be lest apt to enter a war in the first place or maybe be more focused on the mission.
There is a Military Spouse Appreciation Day and a Month of the Military Child…they too get celebrated. Although, based on your argument, I’m not sure why they should? I mean, their spouses and parents don’t deserve the honor of being appeciated, why should the thousands of wives, husbands, and children who stay at home be appreciated?
Thank you for writing a post that truly shows how ignorant and small-minded some people can be. Perharps we should have a special appreciation day just for people like you since you seem to think you’re serving our country better than our military.
Oooo wow. I have to disagree with #4, as I know plenty of people personally who have been to war recently and had fulfilling careers both prior to and after their service. Their decisions to serve had nothing to do with college opportunities, I can assure you, or even career advancement. Their decisions were based completely on the values they believe in. That being said, you’re still right about what you said about kids taking these opportunities to get into college. But, it’s totally not fair to generalize.
On that note, I’ll take this opportunity to say to those people who are critical of the government’s strategic role in these wars and possibly even of the troops, it’s amazing the kind of first-hand cultural and political education you seem to get by actually going over there, rather than just reading a New York Times article about it, written by a high-maintenance reporter who never got his hands dirty. ;) Just sayin’.
Anyway, the friends of mine who grew up as self-proclaimed “military brats” are some of the most culturally & politically educated, open-minded and all around sharp individuals I am lucky to know…not to mention all of the languages they are fluent in from moving all over the world.
Hello,
I am a vet and now I’m employed as the Chief Electrical Engineer for the power company for which I work.
I chose to join the Navy (nuclear propulsion office) because 1) I did want to serve my country, but in the bigger picture, actually the values upon which this country was founded. I met and served with wonderful people, my theory being it takes a certain type of person to volunteer and sacrifice their time/lives for one hitch or a lifetime career.
Both the Navy and I won – they got someone to do a job for them, and I received training, responsibility, and hands-on experience, both technical and leadership, that is very hard to get anywhere else, at such a young age. And I think it built my character, sharpening what my parents started. My father is vietnam vet and he hated being there, and was dead-set against me joining the military at first (grilled the recruiter to death!) I went in during college (no ROTC, and scholarship for me, although I did use the GI Bill afterwards, good deal).
I didn’t stay in when my term was up but I went in with an open mind and considered staying in, if it felt right. It didn’t – I had learned what I needed to, the Navy got their pound of flesh out of me, and we parted ways amicably. If I had stayed in their is no doubt in my mind that I would be divorced now instead of happily married for 13years. It was definitely harder on my wife while I was deployed (3 times in 6 years) as I was constantly busy and working while away.
Bottom line – it is a personal choice, some will do it for patriotism, some for self-advancement, and some like me for both, and others for other reasons.
As for Veteran’s Day, I enjoy having the day off recognizing both mine and my wife’s sacrifice for this country. I think the most revealing thing I learned about my fellow American’s while in the service was American’s for the most part (again most, not everyone, unless in my experience they’ve travelled abroad), 1) don’t realize how good we have it in the U.S. compared to other countries, 2) aren’t as open minded with other cultures/countries unless you’ve lived someplace else (we’re all humans on the same planet, and if it was like America it would be boring), generally (more true before the news started thinking it was hip to be “embedded” with the troops and reporting on everything including brushing our teeth, but not about WHY or SHOULD we be there – different than Ernie Pyle of WW2) had no clue what their Armed Forces were doing, where they were deployed, and how tough their jobs were, etc. People complain about having to stand on the bus into NYC during their commute and give you the evil eye if you stand to close to their seat (not much room), and I just compare that to being shoved in an APC, or a helicopter flying over hostile enemy territory, etc., and think “it’s only 10-20 minutes and I can read, no sweat.”
I am a deployed Army National Guard 1st Lieutenant deployed to IRAQ. We encounter IED’s on a regular basis. The troops below me and myself believe whole heartedly in the mission here. Penelopy trunk, obviously has never visited a third world country, where girls are married off at the age of 12 and live a life hidden behind walls, or a country that is controlled by strict religous doctrine that has been in place for thousands of years. If she had, she would find it hard to bash the wars we are fighting, fighting on their soil and not ours. Every soldier sacrifices for different reasons, it is not the reason that matters only the willingness to put something beyond yourself. The drive to do what others will or cannot. A veteran is someone who has given for his/her country. Draft or no draft, they gave when others could not, becuase our country needed us. Regardless of her naive statements, we are Americans who are proud of our service if not the war. Even without thanks, we will still stand as a wall of defence for our country.
I’m a little late to this party, but I felt compelled to make a comment here. I only just discovered your blog and have found some really useful information that relates directly to certain issues I’m grappling with in my career. So, thank you for providing that information. However, I have to say I was pretty disappointed in this post.
As a mother of two U.S. Marines, I know what my sons’ motivations were for enlisting and it was not because they had no other options available. In fact, one son is a talented musician who had many options, including winning a non-combat spot in the Marine Corps band but instead chose to be an infantry man. The other son is gifted intellectually and had already earned college credit before graduating high school. He chose field artillery and ended up volunteering for E.O.D. duty while in Iraq when he could have been spending his deployment “behind the wire” with his canoneer cohorts. He came home with a traumatic brain injury and PTSD due to that choice. If you could read their writings or have spoken with them prior to enlisting, you would see that their motivations joining were extraordinarily patriotic and they believed they were doing something worthwhile for our country. My boyfriend’s son died over in Iraq, and he was but one of many young men who enlisted specifically because of what happened on 9-11. My uncle was drafted to Vietnam and he’s rightfully proud of his service and my sons who volunteered hold him in the highest esteem. Drafted or not, neither he nor the other Vietnam Vets deserved the treatment they received when they came home. You don’t even begin to know what motivated any of these fine men, and it is audacious to say that you do.
As for my motivations, I’ll say up front I’m not particularly for the war, or war in general. But, I am proud of my sons and their decision. I’m not sure of your motivations unless it was to create controversy and generate attention for your blog by trashing our largely popular vets during war time. I’m glad I’m not having to be the one to make the decisions to send our boys off to risk their lives – voluntarily or not. But, I do know its unfair to speculate on the motivations of young men who do sacrifice so much so that others have the opportunity to pursue their happiness and choose among their options – whether that’s choosing a career as a professional beach volleyball player or becoming a blogger. Someone has to do it so YOU can do do what you choose. Where do you think we would be without a military? Whether or not you agree with our wars, we need a military. And, our military men and women go and fight and do their jobs regardless of their personal opinions about their assignments. They are aware of the risk to their lives, the low pay, the separation from family and friends, and they DO have choices and this is what they chose. I think that’s worthy of a holiday.
I’m grateful to anyone who serves and I don’t think that expressing that gratitude for our veterans takes anything away from any non-veteran who has also sacrificed or contributed something meaningful for the betterment, safety or security of our country.
Cancil EARTH DAY,MARTIN LUTHUR KING DAY,CEASER CHAVEZ DAY,HARVEY MILK DAY and tell liberals to TAKE A HIKE
For WW2 veterans only.
The rest deserve nothing. An all this suicide among these so called “warriors” of today only proves that this generation ain’t men at all.
More fodder and fuel to burn in the FIRES OF HELL!
Do you know anyone that is currently serving our country? Or did you just decide all on your own that people are only joining for the free education? I was offered a full ride scholarship to 2 different top schools and I turned then both down to serve my country in the USAF. I did it to serve my country and depend yours and everyone else’s rights. Just as my brother, my father, grandfather, great grandfather and several of my cousins have done before me. Its something I believe in as an American citizen and a independent woman.
Penelope, let me give you some advice to you because it sounds like you are misguided. Our Congressman and Senators don’t serve this country Penelope. They sit in an air-conditioned office set postal routes, raise an Army, and mint money… They lower budgets to benefit the rich elite. Not the common people like you and me.
Our American serviceman put their lives on the line every single day for our country. What do they get in return, no mental health treatment from the VA because they are kissing ass with congress. Our veterans losses hope; thus, the flip out, and they get sent to prison. There, they get miss treated by the guards, and the rich elite don’t care as long as their son or daughter doesn't go to Iraq. While this is going on, the rich is loving it. They are safe living in their nice beautiful mansions where ever.
If you want to criticize about something Penelope, criticize about Congress and the rich elite in your blog. I believe that your resources are wrong.
As an adjunct to #1 there’s a recent article in the NYT titled ‘Military Blogging Goes Mainstream'( http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/02/us/02bloggers.html?ref=technology ) that discusses the history and current state of blogging and social media in the military.
Two quotes from the article that caught my eye and are most relevant to point #1 –
“Though military families have long used blogs and social media to share experiences, blogs by military spouses may be the main growth area in the military blog world. There are hundreds of them, with new ones popping up each week, underscoring both the emotional and utilitarian power of the Internet.” and
"We're all lonely," she said. "We're all dealing with the toilets overflowing and the kids screaming."
Dear Penelope,
Next time you see a man or woman in uniform, please thank them for your right to post such a ridiculous opinion. How dare you ask for recognition. You say that your parents should get recognition when they consciously made the decision to AVOID war by having children (which is a decision in itself that should never be taken lightly). What a cowards way out. Some men and women may have enlisted for the benefits but that does not defer from the fact that they risk they’re life everyday home or overseas every time they put on that uniform or get up for that matter. As a military wife, yes I sacrifice a lot and yes my son will too but I am not the one risking my life. Do my husbands job for one day and you will understand. In the meantime watch what you say. THESE are the people that protect YOU and your criticizing them. Civilians get their recognition everyday the least military veterans should get is a holiday. Veterans day is a holiday that does nothing more then thank these people for there services- something that should be done everyday.
God Bless,
Hillary
P.S. I can’t wait for the travel opportunities ill get through being restationed every 4 years. I think my son will benefit from meeting a variety of people. I don’t think he’ll never know what a real friend is. He controls the relationships he builds; whether they last 4 years or a lifetime.
Julie, I am a combat veteran and you are a complete dumbass.
*Penelope , Julie, who cares. You are still a complete dumbass.
Also late to the party. My stepfather was drafted to Vietnam. Even though he was drafted he decided to try out for Ranger School. He made it. He got 4 purple hearts and a silver star (which he told his commander to shove up his @ss). He is an amazing man and I joined because I wanted to make him proud. To go to work everyday and know that I made an impact on the world around me. Leave this world a little better than when I got here. I met my husband just after basic training. I got injured and really sick and medically chaptered out (90% disabled vet). I’m now a mom and army wife. Seeing both sides, its not easy being a single parent with disabilities. I know I don’t have it as bad as he does. I at least get to give our daughter hugs and kisses and not miss out on her childhood. No offence, but spouses shouldn’t get special treatment. They knew what they were getting into by marrying a soldier. I see chicks back home, lazy, don’t want to work and just reap the benefits. My husband and I have been going strong for 8 years and a lot of these marriages can’t even survive one deployment. I do feel for the kids. My 2 yr old walks around and points out Daddy’s picture and kisses the photo. No one can ever understand what goes through the mind of a soldier. As soldiers, we don’t even get the freedom that we fight to protect. We enlist so lazy @ss people like you will not be drafted. Until you strap on your combat boot and are full battle rattle, Shut up! So, nice to be a civilian again to say what I want.
My question is have you ever sat down with. A young soilder and asked him why he enlisted? Or his young wife and asked why she married him? My husband is 20 and joined the army when he was 19 years old. He HAD other options. But him and his bestfriend wanted to do something for not just themselves, but for everyone. He wanted to keep your ignorant self safe from bad people who want to hurt you because you life is the USA. and dammit, im proud of him for that!
Im 18, and pregnant with our first child. And I will be having this baby alone while it’s father is in Death Valley in Afganastan. There is a reason for the name Ms Trunk. He is an Infantry Man in the US Army, and most Army men who die, die in Death Valley. All I can do is pray to God for his safety so his child can know him one day.
Yeah, we sacrifice a lot being a military family. He sacrifices a lot. He deserves a Veterans Day no matter if he is a veteran or still active duty. It is a day to honor all service men and that’s how I’ve always thought of it. Sit down and talk to a 20 year old infantry man. See what he thinks and why he joined. You will then see how ridicules you sound.
And Vietnam soldiers didnt like going to Vietnam cuz the hippies back here in America didn’t support them. They SPAT on them. I wouldn’t be happy either if I did something for the greater good and everyone hated me for it! I’ve taken multiple history classes about the Vietnam war. I could have my major in history by now because im 18 and been in college for 3 years already. But instead im working to support me my husband and our child because we are so incredibly underpaid.
Next time you write about the military, talk to someone first you ignorant woman.
Try to understand someone else’s perspective. Sure, there are many people who join the armed forces with noble intentions, and try to help keep the civilians safe over here. Many others, however, are coerced to join because of promises of free tuition, or because they are drafted into service. Far from every military person is a saint.
Why not have a day to celebrate teachers, who dedicate their lives to educate future generations? Or a day to celebrate janitors, who work diligently to keep our facilities clean and usable?
Just another “Know-It-All” who knows nothing….
You are one of the MOST STUPIDEST people that are given Articles to write. You should learn what it means to be a veteran… which I know you will never do it so do us all a favor… SHUT UP.
“You should learn what it means to be a veteran…..”
You mean ever and ever remembering the taste of bile at the back of your throat, while you stand empty and hollow on the battlefield observing the splintered bone and curdled brains around you that were either your friends or your enemies, or innocent civilians, or all three? While a week before you’d never even seen someone die, and had been taught all your life that killing is immoral?
No thank you.
Its pretty insulting to me and everyone else I know who has served that you think we don’t do it serve our country. I’m a veteran, and now an accountant. I’m proud that I’ve served, and SOMEHOW I’ve managed to eke out a successful living even though I’m apparently the dregs of today’s society. How insulting. The only reason you posted this was for attention.
Its pretty insulting to me and everyone else I know who has served that you think we don’t do it serve our country. I’m a veteran, and now an accountant. I’m proud that I’ve served, and SOMEHOW I’ve managed to eke out a successful living even though I’m apparently the dregs of today’s society. How insulting. The only reason you posted this was for attention.
As far as I have been able to observe in my 50 years on this rock, in this nation, Veterans Day is a time when (in addition to those who act out of complete sincerity) millions of complacent, self-centered people wave little plastic novelty flags made in China and think up platitudes to share, while eschewing political activity (often including voting) the rest of their year, and in their complacency, never speaking a word (and possibly even remaining oblivious) about all manner of injustices perpetrated in this nation, day in and day out, year after year.
Meanwhile, considering the *importance* of the holiday, corporate America doesn’t see fit to give their workers the day off in observance of the solemnity of the occasion – not even those workers who happen to be veterans. But then, a November day isn’t good for picnics, and watermelons are out of season.
I love how people who have never served our country can bad mouth those who do.
Well I seem to be in the minority but I love your article. I find it odd that everyone finds it hateful. Your message is not one of hate or disregard, but inclusiveness and appreciation. Sounds like too many people are blinded by their own hypocrisy to consider new ways of thinking about national pride, honor, and service. Thanks for writing and posting what I was feeling on this day while everyone else is putting out FB posts with empty “Honor Veterans” messages. How many of them have ever served anyone in any way, or even gone to a VA hospital to volunteer? Likely none. I’m sick of empty patriotism that has no action behind it!
This person is stupid, I love how people who have never served our country can bad mouth those who do. Keep your liberal ideas to yourself or leave the US, people need to realize this is the United States of America we are a primarly christian country, we have our own way of doing things we shouldnt have to bow to people who immigrate here because our way offends them. The pledge of allegience is our way to show our loyalty to our country to want to change it because it says God in it and it offends non-christians is stupid changing x-mas to cater to non-christians is stupid I dont mind people practicing their way here but dont shove it down the rest of our throats I personally like getting gifts from family giving gifts to family and eating a nice dinner with those I care about. This is our way this is the way America does business. I am 24 years old active duty and have served almost 6 years ive been in three battle campaigns and love what I do. So ms Trunk keep your stupid ideas to yourself noone agrees with you except other ignorant people
i’m a vietnam era veteran or what ever semantics i’m known by? i don’t like being thanked for my service because i had been out for 37 years before anyone ever thanked me. i use the benefits and will till the day i die (or at least my widow will) let’s go back to calling veterans day armistice day and plant a tree. (not to be confused with arbor day) i think that i shall never see a think as beautiful as a tree. know what i mean?
Penelope- They should cancel you!
Too bad they can’t cancel all of Generation X
Penelope,
Veterans Day is intended to honor and thank all military personnel who served the United States in all wars, particularly living veterans. It is marked by parades and church services and in many places the American flag is hung at half mast. A period of silence lasting two minutes may be held at 11am.
Happy Veterans Day to all of our rich (well-off), military personnel. (obviously sarcastic)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Penelope meaning and name origin
The name meaning is derived from the Greek name “penelops” for a kind of duck that was said to have rescued and nurtured Penelope when she was exposed to die as an infant.
Penelope \p(e)-nelo-pe, pen(e)-lope\ as a girl’s name is pronounced pen-NELL-a-pee. It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Penelope is “weaver”. (“weaver” is a kind of…):
oscine; oscine bird (passerine bird having specialized vocal apparatus).
HAPPY VETERANS DAY TO ALL WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY AND PROTECTED OUR FREEDOM AND FUTURE.
~gee~
You should all do your country a favor and kill yourselves. You know nothing about war, nothing about sacrifice, nothing about the reality of military service. This is a great webpage to highlight the abjectly VAPID civilian mentality towards the war and the Armed Forces. People talk about the divide between civilians and veterans, what a great example of how one-sided that divide truly is. Civilians resent the military and veterans, plain and simple. Think about that profound comparison between the alleged patriotism of the 1940s and today. What has changed, and what hasn’t? There’s no more draft, so instead of the overwhelming majority of citizens experiencing military service, you’re told “that’s just for losers who can’t get a job.” None of you are worth representing, none of you (who agree with the horrible premise of this article) deserve the benefits of citizenship. It’s not your fault, mind you, nothing has ever been asked of you. But what is your reaction towards those who do choose to keep this ramshackle country protected? Disdain, utterly ignorant, hate-filled disdain.