VETERANS DAY 2013

I had another column all set to publish this morning, but then I woke-up and noticed the date. Yes, I do love a bunch of “1”s in a row, but that’s not it; it’s Veterans Day. (Yes, it does bother me a bit that no one puts the apostrophe after the “s” of “Veterans,” but since this writing is about something so much more important than my usual annoyances, I’m letting it go. But just this once.)

I don’t have much to say on the topic, other than to acknowledge and honor the contributions of all Americans who have served in Armed Forces. And, of course, to add my own tiny thank you for having kept the rest of us safe for all these decades.

[Note: even though this day is meant for those men and women who have already served, (hence the word “veterans,”) I will also spare a thought for our young people who are in that position actively.]

I hope that all of us take a moment of time today to reflect on how much our military personnel has always done for us regarding this country’s safety, which I believe most of us take for granted in our day-to-day lives.

Even pausing a second to write this has made me stop and think about our veterans, and to have gratitude swell up inside me.

One last note, that I found interesting in my research into the origin of this federal holiday, (especially because of the many “1”s): Veterans Day is always meant to fall on 11/11, which, even though this date has always been familiar to me, I really didn’t know. The story goes that in 1918, that was the date of our Armistice with Germany. And it even came at the eleventh hour! So, the holiday was always on November 11. Then, in the 1970s, the government moved it to be celebrated on a specific Monday, which it was when I was little. So, this year is actually a tad special because 11/11 is a Monday, which makes it right for many of our memories of it.

So please don’t use today as just a day off, or for sales and the like. Use it to be grateful, and realize what all veterans have done for the rest of us.

And to say a humongous Thank You to them!

[And, no worries—I’ll be back to being shallow tomorrow.]