The United States is a nation created by the fighting spirit of brave men and women. The American Revolution would not have started, nor would have been successful, if it was not for those who were willing to stand up and fight for their rights. Our country is not free by some international treaty or agreement but from a revolution where we asserted the people should be their own governors. This is why Veterans Day has always been important to me.
Veterans Day is, itself, an almost 100-year-old tradition in the United States. The first Veterans Day was known as Armistice Day in reference to the Armistice that ended World War I on the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. It was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson on Nov. 11, 1919, to honor the veterans of that particular conflict.
Later, as years went by, the day became an official holiday in 1938. After World War II, a veteran named Raymond Weeks proposed Armistice Day should be expanded to cover veterans of all American wars, not just World War I. He led celebrations in Birmingham, Ala., on Nov. 11 for all veterans, starting in 1947. President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill into law officially renaming Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954. Weeks received the Presidential Citizenship Medal in 1982, being called the “Father of Veterans Day.”
Through these efforts, Veterans Day has come to the point where it is today. Many of my first and current experiences with the holiday observances are through school assemblies. I remember several speakers, including some of our teachers, telling us about their experiences in the military. It’s very inspiring and humbling to be in the presence of those who have given so much for this country and that they are willing to share it with us as students. Military members are some of the best our society has to offer. They are willing to sacrifice their time, energy and sometimes their lives to keep this country safe. One of the reasons our country’s military is so strong is the morale and motivation of our troops. All of our soldiers volunteer to join the American military.
I send out my great gratitude and thanks to the people who have or are currently serving in our nation’s armed forces. A simple thank-you is not always enough. It is because of you we, the American people, enjoy the freedoms we do. As Americans, it’s easy to forget just how much freedom we have compared to the rest of the world. We have the right to free speech, to practice religion as we choose, to bear arms, to be protected from unwarranted searches, and the list goes on. I could not imagine living without these freedoms. They allow us to live our daily lives without being oppressed by tyranny.
None of this would be possible without the tremendous efforts of our veterans. When America has been attacked, we have had the benefit of outstanding people in uniform to fight back for our freedoms. Many have gone across the world, and some have never come home. Those who do sometimes do not receive the care nor the appreciation they have earned. This is something that needs to be fixed immediately. The Veterans Administration scandal shocked me, and it’s outrageous our nation’s heroes can ever be allowed to die waiting for care. Our veterans gave us their all, we should be giving them our all in return.
America is a nation built on the dedication and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform. For hundreds of years and through numerous conflicts, the American soldier fights for freedom, liberty and justice for all. We would not be here today without their contributions in the fight and back home as private citizens. Thirty-two of 44 presidents of the United States have had military service of some kind. This started with our first president and commander of the Continental Army, George Washington. Veterans have founded many successful and thriving businesses, and raised the next generations of Americans. Veterans deserve our praise and gratitude this Veterans Day. They have surely earned it.
Connor Kockler is a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School student. He enjoys writing, politics and news, among other interests.
