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Honoring America’s Veterans in Remembrance and in Action

photo provided Taken by VUHS history students in Washington DC last year, the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will be one of many sites around the country where special Veteran's Day ceremonies will be held.

Tuesday November 10, 2009

By Cookie Steponaitis

Every year Americans gather around the nation on November 11th to pay tribute to those who have served in the past as well as those who are currently serving in America’s Armed Services. In schools, there are assemblies and on the television we all watch the president lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. For one day, the nation pauses, reflects and then continues on with life as usual. How do we honor America’s veterans? That issue continues to go unanswered by many for the remaining 364 ¼ days of the year.

    Vergennes Union High School’s annual assembly is unique in that it is planned and presented by students from the local history club. Each year the discussion occurs well in advance about the message, the historical accuracy, and the meaning of the assembly, which is attended by all 680 VUHS students. The group then crafts a program which they feel will honor with respect the Veterans of the nation and educate the group there to the blessings and responsibilities of living in a free society.

    At this year’s gathering the school will witness a flag folding ceremony complete with narrated description of the meanings of each fold, watch a student produced video on the meaning of Veteran’s Day, listen and participate in the singing of God Bless America and listen to a key note address written by a fellow student. The message of that address carries with it the original purpose behind Veteran’s Day, which was to honor those who served and sacrificed so that a nation could live in freedom.

    An excerpt from that address by junior Nathan North reads,
On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, in 1918, the fighting between the Allied nations and Germany stopped as the result of an armistice, or truce. Roughly seven months later, World War I ended at the signing of the Versailles Treaty in France. Armistice Day, as it was originally called, was changed to Veteran’s Day so it could commemorate more than just those who served in World War I. Today, it commemorates any soldier who fought or is still fighting for America. It pays homage to the soldier who fought for the hardiness and valor of red, the purity and innocence of white, and for the vigilance, perseverance, and justice of blue. For the flag that stands for our daily freedoms.

    But I believe that once a year is not enough. Our soldiers don’t fight for one day out of the year. No. They fight for months and months, and when they take liberty, more take their place. It is ongoing. And yet most sigh when they have to go to another assembly to honor these men. An assembly is nothing. It is at most a form of a lesson. If you really want to support these men start with yourself, and move outward. First, do not take your freedom for granted. If you do not serve in the military, you can still serve your country in the community. Assist at the VA hospital. Give a helping hand if someone is in need of one. But sadly, it is hard to find that.

    Most fail to even stand in the morning, and recite the sixth fold to our nation’s flag. How many of you actually stood, and placed your hand over your heart during the morning pledge? From what I have seen, it’s not a large number. What does the one who does not stand have to loose if once in the morning, he or she stands towards the flag? The morning pledge is not a pledge to God. If you are atheistic, it is not offensive. It is not a pledge to the Republican Party. If you are liberal, it is not disrespectful. It is not a pledge to the Democratic Party. No. It is a pledge to this country: A pledge to freedom and a pledge to the flag. It is a pledge, to the veteran who risked his life and limb, so you and I could have to right to say that pledge. It is much larger than you. In a way, it is that, “Thanks” that you are told to voice when you see a service member. It is the daily reminder, which we owe all we have to our veterans, a small Veteran’s Day, everyday. Put in the words of General MacArthur, “It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier not the campus organizers, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag. ” So I ask of everyone listening right now, that you honor a simple tribute of respect, that every morning, for the 20 seconds that the pledge is called, you rise and recognize those who fought for, loved, and may have fallen for America, because from that moment on, you can enjoy the rest of your day in freedom and safety. Thank you.”

    As the day approaches where again America pauses and reflects, all Vermonters have added reason to remember and pause. Over the past days and weeks over 1,500 Vermonters have gone to join fellow soldiers deployed around the world in an attempt to protect the ideals and freedoms that many Americans take so for granted. Recently, a graduated senior returned to VUHS to visit teachers and share stories of their training and enlistment in the US military. When asked by a student why they serve, the soldier replied, “Freedom isn’t free. We stand guard so you can sleep easy at night.”

    As the day comes and again passes, perhaps the greatest question that should be pondered on that day is not how can we thank veterans, is should be how can we honor their sacrifices in our lives and commitments to each other and the nation. Then Veteran’s Day is more than a day on the calendar. It is a realization that the gift of freedom comes with responsibilities and commitments here at home to keep America strong through community involvement, service and assistance to those who do stand guard while America sleeps.

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