The importance of Veterans Day

Of the 16 million who served during that war, only 855,000 are still alive. And I don’t believe most parents talk to their children about it either.

Our courageous fighting men and women know the feeling. Honor and thank all veterans because we never know if he or she is enduring PTSD or worse.

Saturday is the Veterans Day parade down Main Street which begins at 2 p.m. Memorial Day is about commemorating those killed in combat.

Veterans Day is an official United States holiday, observed to honor military veterans.

Later renamed Veterans Day, we celebrate the lives of more than 5,000 veterans from all branches of the Armed Services today in Rutherford County.

It’s interesting to note that Canada, Britain, France and Australia also remember their veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11.

Men and women have risked their lives to serve. Some confuse the goal of Veterans Day with that of Memorial Day, always the last Monday in May. The Korean and Vietnam veterans are dying at the rate of around 350 a day.

Too many of our veterans are homeless and coping with mental health and addiction problems.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, at least 116,000 Americans died in what was hoped would be the “the war to end all wars”.

But it wasn’t until later in 1954 – October 8, to be exact – that President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation”. Go to some of the ceremonies.

It’s appropriate then that, rather than cancelling school as some districts are doing, Plainville is planning several programs and activities to teach children the importance of respecting those who served. Show them pictures of family members in uniform.

Veterans are an integral part of our country and our community. Talk about what they did.

We encourage everyone who is able to attend to join in this tribute to those who served.