Every year, Veterans Day is a day to remember those who have served in the military. We recognize them because they have fought and sacrificed for the safety we have in the United States today. The least we can do for them is recognize and appreciate the protection they have given to the American people. To take a few hours out of our work days is only the beginning of appreciating their countless, long-lasting days and years of serving our country.
Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day as a way to honor the end of World War I and the heroism that occurred during that brutal time period. After around 30 years, Armistice Day was amended by Congress to what we know today, Veterans Day. The switch between Armistice Day to Veterans Day is due to the events that happened in World War II and the Korean War, in order to appreciate all veterans who demonstrated heroism.
A common misconception about veterans is that they must fight in a war in order to be commemorated. In reality, a veteran is anyone who has served in any one of America’s military branches. There are six branches of the U.S. military, which consists of the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force. Everyone who has been enrolled in one of these branches is considered a veteran and should be honored on Veterans Day.
Veterans can be all around you. Sometimes they are parents or extended family, while other times, they can be co-workers or teachers. Beckett Williams, a sophomore at Hingham High School, said, “On Veterans Day, my family and I remembered my grandfather who fought in the Navy.”
All around the United States, and even the world, all veterans deserve appreciation. One of the many ways the U.S honors veterans who have passed is through the ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery, just outside of Washington, DC. The cemetery is used as a tribute to remember the sacrifices that every single veteran has made. The cemetery is decorated with trees that are hundreds of years old accompanied by green rolling hills, symbolizing the peace that the soldiers fought for.
Also, many people wear poppies behind their ears and use them as another way to remember the soldiers who have passed. Someone who buys poppies each year is Liam Merrigan, a sophomore at Hingham High School, who mentions, “My family and I buy poppies each year to thank my uncle, who is a veteran.”
The small red flowers began to become a tradition after the end of WWI, as they began to grow on the battlefields where the soldiers fought and died. Even after one hundred years, they are still used as a symbolic gesture for soldiers as the red petals represent the blood shed by the soldiers, while the whole flower represents the growth that the soldiers died for.
Putting one day aside for veterans isn’t enough, so make sure to thank any veteran, whether a stranger, or someone you know, as they have dedicated a large part of their life into making this country safe. Just remember – a small action goes a long way.
