Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a day to celebrate the lives and sacrifices of those who went to war for our country ever since we became a nation. For most of us, that means remembering any loved ones we may have lost or any family members who fought in the wars. For many of these people, surviving the war brings with it a lot of emotional baggage. And now that our nation has been at war once again, there are veterans who are still young and seem to have their whole lives in front of them.

When someone goes and fights a war for our country, they are sacrificing a part of themselves. Even if they end up leaving the war with their lives intact, they may not be completely healthy. A lot can happen in a war. People can get shot at, lose limbs, and simply get sick. It is up to the field doctor whether or not a person can continue fighting after something happens to them. In the case of losing limbs, these soldiers will need to get home. The point is, Veterans Day exists to honor those who serve, including those who got sick and had to get sent home.

On Veterans Day there are a lot of things that towns and cities do to help honor the living and fallen soldiers. A lot of places have Veterans Day parades where the local veterans march and the towns’ people come out to honor them. For many, parades are fun occasions and they present excuses to get out with their children on a beautiful day and enjoy showing them what it means to be part of this country.

For others, Veterans Day means visiting cemeteries to honor friends and family who have passed on. This includes soldiers and non-soldiers alike. Everyone has their own rituals when visiting graves. Some people plant flowers. Others pray and read the Bible. And still others talk to the person who has passed on as if they have never left. All of these things are great things to do, especially since losing someone you love can be so tough. Losing someone because of war in a lot of ways is even harder, especially if there is a draft. War is hard on every one involved, including family members. In a way, Veterans Day is also about the families the fallen soldiers have left behind.