Veterans Day

[boomer]

Today is a day to acknowledge the many casualties of war both living and dead.

Certainly not a celebratory occasion.  More a reminder of how little we have learned over the years.

All wars are the same war.

[crashdive123]

Today is a day to acknowledge the many casualties of war both living and dead.

Certainly not a celebratory occasion.  More a reminder of how little we have learned over the years.

All wars are the same war.

I disagree with your assessment  the purpose of this Federal Holiday to a point.    Veterans Day is a public holiday held on the anniversary of the end of World War I, on November 11, to honor US veterans and victims of all wars. This holiday is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  It is a celebration.  It honors those that have put on the uniform and served.

To politicize this day with your commentary regarding the pointlessness of war does a disservice to those that have served, including you.

[Pete Bog]

   Celebrate can suggest acknowledging an occasion by festivity. I suspect this is the definition Boomer objects to.
   
   There is little to suggest a festive celebration in the poem "In Flanders Fields". Generally accepted as the impetus for Armistice Day, Remembrance Day and eventually Veterans Day.

   Celebrate can also mean to perform a solemn ceremony, publicly and with appropriate rites.

   It would seem that Boomer and Crash are both right.

[boomer]

I am familiar with the history of Veterans Day from red poppies to current themes. We can recognize the victims of war while simultaneously acknowledging the lack of lessons learned.

It is entirely possible some troops in combat in Afghanistan were born after the initiation of warfare in that country. There's a point there somewhere.

Troops do not make policy but rather carry it out. A visit to the VN Memorial in DC gives an idea of the partial price actually paid for those policies.  I believe I served honorably. I know those I served with did. The policies which placed us in combat were less honorable.

That is the lesson we have failed to learn. If we take anything bfrom Veterans Day i hope it is the commitment to do better going forward.


In reality all wars are the same war.

[Moe M.]

Today is a day to acknowledge the many casualties of war both living and dead.

Certainly not a celebratory occasion.  More a reminder of how little we have learned over the years.

All wars are the same war.

I disagree with your assessment  the purpose of this Federal Holiday to a point.    Veterans Day is a public holiday held on the anniversary of the end of World War I, on November 11, to honor US veterans and victims of all wars. This holiday is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  It is a celebration.  It honors those that have put on the uniform and served.

To politicize this day with your commentary regarding the pointlessness of war does a disservice to those that have served, including you.