Express-News Editorial Board: Honor veterans today, every day
It's been 90 years since Nov. 11 was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson as the first commemoration of Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I — the Great War known as “the war to end all wars.”
Because it wasn't, because there were more wars to be fought and endured, Congress would eventually move to rename it Veterans Day and to honor all the men and women who have served in the military.
The word veteran conjures up the image of seasoned and gray individuals who have already lived most of their lives. But as we know, and as we're reminded every day, there are thousands of young veterans across this land — men and women, not yet married who will grow old and play with their grandchildren.
Since the beginning, parades have been a major part of Armistice and Veterans Day observances and remain poignant yet joyous celebrations through this nation's streets. But each Veterans Day should always serve as a time not only to shower them with praises, waves and smiles but also to make sure that we're taking great care of them and providing them with all that they need.
In his proclamation, President Wilson declared, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of nations.”
The key word is gratitude. In every war, those who wear the uniform, those who do battle in foreign lands bear a disproportionate amount of the nation's burden...
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Because it wasn't, because there were more wars to be fought and endured, Congress would eventually move to rename it Veterans Day and to honor all the men and women who have served in the military.
The word veteran conjures up the image of seasoned and gray individuals who have already lived most of their lives. But as we know, and as we're reminded every day, there are thousands of young veterans across this land — men and women, not yet married who will grow old and play with their grandchildren.
Since the beginning, parades have been a major part of Armistice and Veterans Day observances and remain poignant yet joyous celebrations through this nation's streets. But each Veterans Day should always serve as a time not only to shower them with praises, waves and smiles but also to make sure that we're taking great care of them and providing them with all that they need.
In his proclamation, President Wilson declared, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of nations.”
The key word is gratitude. In every war, those who wear the uniform, those who do battle in foreign lands bear a disproportionate amount of the nation's burden...