Masland Library Blog

Veterans Day, what is it and how did we come to make it a national holiday? As this holiday was approaching I wondered what people thought of it and if they really knew what it was. Do people actually acknowledge this day or is it just another day that has some benefits for us? Can we say that we truly know what this holiday is and what it represents? To be honest I did not really know what it was until last week. I knew it was a holiday to celebrate those who had fought in wars but nothing more than that, which is a shame. For that reason I researched it some more.

Our country has been in many wars and many men and women have given their lives for the freedom and liberty that we have in the United States. It is amazing how many people fought for the country and cause that they believed in whether it was in the World War I or II, Vietnam, the Gulf War, or even the war we are in now. People see a cause that they want to stand for and they want to protect the rights and freedom of their fellow citizens and so they fight. Veterans Day is not only about those who died or only about the veterans still alive but all veterans past and present. It was first created for those who fought in World War I and even then it was not a national holiday nor was it called Veterans Day but rather Armistice Day. President Wilson declared November 11, 1919 the first Armistice Day saying,

"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 the nations…"

This is definitely something to reflect on and to be thankful for that people were willing and are willing to put their lives in danger for this country, a cause, and for people they may not even know. That is why we celebrate the veterans of the wars because they have fought for the freedom and liberty that we now have and even for other countries that may not have had it. They fought against an injustice in order to make the situation right.

So I challenge you to not take this holiday for granted. Acknowledge Veterans Day for what it really is, a day to remember those who fought for the freedoms and liberties we have so freely.

~ Sara Garms