For the past several weeks, I have been working toward Veterans Day by looking at who we mean when we use the word “Veteran.” The answer is both simple and complicated.
There is no single Veteran appearance. Veterans are women and men, young and old. Their service may have occurred during war or peace, overseas or stateside, in combat or far from it. They served in different branches, components, occupations, generations, and circumstances. Some left the military with medals and stories they freely share. Others packed the uniform away and rarely mention their service.
Veterans Day gives us an opportunity to recognize all of them.
The holiday began as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I fighting on November 11, 1918. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to honor Veterans of U.S. military service.
That broader purpose remains important because our Veteran community has never been a single generation, branch, occupation, or experience.
We can recognize differences within the Veteran community without using those differences to rank service. An infantry Veteran is not more “Veteran” than a clerk. A combat deployment does not make peacetime service meaningless. A visible disability is not more legitimate than one we cannot see. A woman should not be mistaken for the Veteran’s spouse, nor should a younger Veteran have to explain why he or she belongs at a Veterans event.
Benefits are another matter. Individual programs have eligibility requirements. Service dates, duty status, discharge, disability, income, deployment history, and other facts can matter when determining benefits. Respect does not require an eligibility determination.
For those interested in Veterans Day observances, MDVA’s official State celebration is Wednesday, November 11, at the Duluth National Guard Training and Community Center: breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and program at 10:00 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. American Legion Post 109 is providing a local Veterans Day program/dinner; social hour starting at 5:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:00 p.m. (reservations required due to limited seating).
These announcements are opportunities for those who wish to participate. Veterans Day can be observed quietly and personally.
Whether you attend an event, call a Veteran, or reflect, Veterans Day does not require us to compare service.
It asks us to recognize it.
To every Veteran, from every branch, generation, occupation, and path of service: thank you.
Reminder: Operation Green Light for Veterans – don’t forget your green light bulb, free of charge, while supplies last at the Lake County Service Center!
Show your support of Veterans by shining a green light.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or Vets@LakeCountyMN.gov
Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@cookcountymn.gov
