Flag-waving’s not enough: We ought to serve our veterans on Veterans Day

The November 11 peace that marked the end of fighting in World War I, the “war to end all wars,” became the basis for the federal holiday today that honors all USA veterans.

It’s not Armistice Day anymore; in the United States, it’s Veterans Day, in Canada, we call it Remembrance Day.

“I think it’s important because I was in during the Vietnam War, and back then people didn’t like the veterans”, said Bob Holsh, a veteran attending the parade. U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions gave the keynote address.

“It’s incredible, I wish our mom was here to see it”, Javorina’s sister Toni Gift said. We honor you, fine men and women, on this your special day. “No emotion. And that was something that maybe kept a lot of us alive”, said Zurcer, Vietnam War veteran.

The crowd also took in the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the courthouse. Had World War I really been the “war to end all wars”, the last veteran would have passed away in 2012, as far as records can confirm.

Hundreds of people lined the streets in downtown Fort Worth Wednesday morning for the Tarrant County Veterans Day Parade.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day was first declared in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to honor all soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who served the nation. He added that he looks forward to continuing this tradition of bringing the community together to honor veterans.

Veterans we talked to say they want to get the word out about what it means to serve, often times in unsafe situations, regardless of whether they are from the guard, the reserve, or active duty. Puco is native of Rochester and served in the Air Force during the Korean War in the early 1950s. “It was a awful thing that stuck with me most of my life”.

If you would like to volunteer to help veterans, go to Charity Navigator and review the veteran-related charities listed on its Home Page today.