It is cathartic that Veterans Day arrives shortly after the presidential election. After months of contentious campaigns accompanied by vitriol that highlighted our nation’s divisions, Monday’s holiday is a reminder of what binds us as Americans.
Those connections are strong. There are approximately 1.3 million Americans serving in the U.S. military and 16 million veterans, including more than 500,000 in Washington. They have served during times of peace and times of war, protecting our nation and its interests around the world. They are our neighbors, co-workers, friends and family members, and we honor them every Nov. 11.
That includes a variety of events this weekend in Clark County. Most notably, the Lough Legacy Veterans Day Parade is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, was founded in the wake of World War I. The agreement concluding “the war to end war” — a now-outdated moniker — was signed on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. It left the United States as the world’s preeminent power and ushered in The American Century.
As President Woodrow Wilson wrote for the first observance of the holiday, on the anniversary of the Armistice: “Out of this victory there arose new possibilities of political freedom and economic concert. The war showed us the strength of great nations acting together for high purposes, and the victory of arms foretells the enduring conquests which can be made in peace when nations act justly and in furtherance of the common interests of men.”
Since then, Americans have served with distinction in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. And while there is room to question the reasoning behind some of those conflicts and to criticize the leaders behind them, it is essential to honor those who were sent to fight.
It also is essential to honor those who have served during times of peace, providing the United States with strength that helped to avoid additional wars.
As we recognize the diligence and sacrifice of those who have served, we stress that appropriate recognition must not be limited to a single day. That includes attention to the struggles veterans face after leaving the service.
According to the 2023 Point-In-Time count by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, veterans represent an inordinate percentage of homeless people in the United States. And according to various studies, the suicide rate among veterans is significantly higher than in the general population. Providing health services for veterans is part of this nation’s obligation to those who have volunteered to serve.
As Dr. Sudip Bose wrote for HuffingtonPost.com in 2017: “What many people who haven’t served in the military don’t really understand, is that after veterans stop fighting the enemy, they continue the struggle fighting against injuries or illness sustained while on active duty — either physical or mental, or both. In many instances, their battle continues.”
That seems to belie the pro-military rhetoric that is common among elected officials. Such rhetoric should be backed up by legislative action rather than empty promises.
Meanwhile, for the public, Veterans Day arrives at a meaningful time. We can thank those who have served, and we can recognize that the need for such gratitude is something that nearly all Americans can agree upon. After focusing on our disagreements, the opportunity is most welcome.
