The purpose of Veterans Day is to celebrate with honor not only the members of our armed services who have died, but to focus upon the living American veterans amongst us who have served or are currently serving our country.
However, Veterans Day celebrations throughout our nation will be more somber and reflective this year.
With the recent tragedy and betrayal at the military base Fort Hood Nov. 5 in which an Army psychiatrist, Maj. Malik Nidal Hasan, opened fire on fellow service members in a horrific killing spree that killed 13 and wounded numerous others, it is important to also honor the victims for their service and remember their grieving family members and friends in your prayers this Veterans Day.
Hopefully, Americans will continue to show more respect and dignity for the fallen service members than President Barack Obama initially displayed on Nov. 5 in his televised remarks.
Obama was briefed about the incident prior to his scheduled appearance at the Tribal Nations Conference. The cable stations interrupted their programming for a live feed from Obama as he approached the podium.
Instead of immediately acknowledging the Fort Hood shooting, he gave a “shout out” to a distinguished audience member followed by further broad comments wholly unrelated to Fort Hood. Such comments continued for about three minutes — as jolted Americans waited to hear their president’s perspective on the rampage.
Obama is constitutionally connected to our military as the commander in chief; men and women died under his command, and it is shameful and alarming that he did not recognize them immediately.
Our military men and women deserve more respect.
Equally disturbing was Congress’ decision to convene on Saturday, Nov. 7, and open debate on the health care bill in Washington, D.C.
Is our health care system so bad it deserves priority over everything else in the nation? Priority over a terrorist attack directed at the military? Radical Muslims all over the world are acknowledging Hasan’s betrayal and crime as a terrorist attack. On the official Revolution Muslim Web site, Hasan was called a heroic “Officer & a Gentleman.”
History does repeat itself, in the continual occurrence of war and violence that proves to be horrific and unforgettable markers in time.
Ninety years ago, President Woodrow Wilson commemorated Armistice Day in recognition of Nov. 11, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in which the armistice that ended World War I went into effect.
So, this Wednesday, remember the brave who have died to put the free in freedom and those who fought and currently fight to keep it there.
Their service, bravery, selflessness and love of country deserve our attention and honor.
And as Adlai Stevenson, a politician and the fifth United States ambassador to the United Nations, eloquently stated, “Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”
You may not agree with the concept of war or the reasons why America is currently engaged in combat overseas, but that doesn’t change the fact that our military men and women are putting their lives at risk. They deserve your respect, support, gratitude and patriotism.
Always.
Jennifer is thankful for our veterans, past and present. E-mail her at jmbollig@asu.edu.
