Veterans Day
November 11, 2009 @ Herding Cats from Glen B. Alleman
November 11th is a Federal holiday — Veterans Day — here in the United States. President Wilson proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. Seven years later, Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting the President issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies.
As a Vietnam Veteran (1969-1970), the ceremonies in our small Colorado town have special meaning. Our college daughter has a high school friend serving his second tour in Afghanistan as a Marine. I work with several Veterans. Marines, Air Force, Army, Navy. Some young, some my age.
We all share a special bond not found in normal personal or business relationships. I work in the defense industry where many colleagues are Veterans - recent and long past. Some single tours some career senior officers. When we enter an office for the first time, it is not uncommon to see a folded flag in a case on the top of a book shelf, a service badge framed on the wall - the Marines do this most often. Or a lapel pin tacked to a backpack or possibly in a suit coat lapel of a former rank
These are all symbols of a shared experience, ranging from stateside service in a clerical position to 12 months or more of walking the bush (or desert) every day.
We need to ask ourselves before just appreciating yet another federal holiday, would you be willing to do what they have done?
For those readers who have served our country in any way - civilian or military - honor the fallen, remember your service, remember the service of others.
For those who flew B-52's, A-6's, CH-47's, lead the finance and account section of a Battalion, repaired the F-4's returning from the "Red River Valley" making them ready for another return to hell, flew the CH-46 state side rescuing sailors and fisherman from harm, humped the Củ Chi trail in search of the illusive enemy, stood 3rd watch plane guard on Yankee Station, ordered the sodas and beer for the PX at Monkey Mountain in Danang, currently fly the C-17 into and out of South West Asia, launched the first cruise missile from the Med to Baghdad, repaired the MRLS in Afghanistan with a high school degree, led the logistics coordination for Schwarzkopf as the only woman O6 in theater with combat experience, or did your simple drudge duty day in and day out, so others were safe, security, fed, fueled, and ready for duty.
A Story from a Colleague
A staff member working a large avionics program for NASA sent an email responding to another vet in our firm today. Matt is a Marine (no former Marines) stationed in central Europe during the Kosovo war.
Yesterday was the Marines Corps birthday, November 10, 1775, a date all Marines carry as long as they live. I had to run an errand yesterday at Wal-Mart. Coming out of the store with my purchase I noticed from afar a big white piece of paper on the back of my Tahoe.
My heart sunk. I thought for sure someone had hit me and had left a note with their insurance information on it. But as I reached the truck I was struck by the note's kindness and attention. It simply said "Happy Birthday, Marine". Nothing more, nothing less.
They had seen the Marine emblem on my truck and cared enough to get out of their vehicle, get pen and paper, write a note. Clearly, they had gone out of their way to remember. I have no idea who this person was, if they were themselves a Marine, or a descendant of one, or what their political affiliation was.
They just cared enough to say "thank you" and it really made my day. It depresses me a little bit sometimes, you know. It seems we are generations now removed from this simple gesture of gratitude and sincerity, that we live in a land filled more with the notion of immediate gratification than we have investing time to earn it. I'm glad you (Matt was speaking to another colleague who was a special ops officer in Vietnam and retired USAF space command) walked the parade and I would have gladly stood next to you.
Thanks to the Vets
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