Letter to the editor: We should not treat Veterans Day as not just another ‘holiday’

Wed, 11/12/2014 - 2:45pm

I had a powerful experience on the Monday eve of Veteran's Day this week. I was talking to my 27-year-old son on the phone and mentioned that the check I needed to mail him wouldn't go out until Wednesday because the post office was closed Tuesday for Veterans Day.

He then proceeded to tell me that he thought it was terrible that businesses were open on Veterans Day. He said he thought it was more important to be closed for Veterans Day than for Christmas or Thanksgiving. This is coming from a young man with no veterans in his family and progressive political views. It blew me away.

The next day he wrote me,"Today is a day with actual meaning when so many holidays are fickle and consumer driven. It says a lot about our f****d up priorities. I hate that we're at war, but it's unfortunately somewhat of an inevitable reality and our protection and stability are things most people take for granted."

Inevitably many people in this country view Veterans Day as just another vacation day. Wouldn't it be something if we could get our Chambers of Commerce and schools to treat Veterans Day as an opportunity for education and tribute to those that serve. Instead of schools being closed, they could be open for special programs using film, speakers and discussion groups to bring attention to Armistice Day and why we need to not forget it. If all businesses would agree to close for the day, perhaps programs could be offered at the library or opera house that would be of interest to those visiting Camden.

I freely admit that I have not sufficiently focused on Veterans Day until my son awakened me. I lived through the Vietnam War and all the upheaval of that time when I was in my 20s. I protested and marched, but I also had several friends who served in that war. I was then, and remain still, angry and disgusted with how our country treated veterans returning from Vietnam. One of my favorite books to this day is Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried - a powerful commentary on the experience of war without the political baggage.

Those who choose to fight our battles deserve our respect and support. Treating Veterans Day as not just another "holiday" could be a start.

Chris Wohler lives in Camden