MAKING OUR OWN VETERANS DAY…
(…since others only observe it if it doesn’t interfere with a normal work day)

Like many other aspects of modern day life, meaningful observance of a traditional occasion such as -Veterans Day- is passé. God forbid that it should be observed on the actual day set aside for it. Doing so would just be too much of an “inconvenience” for everyone, don’t you know.

Which is why in many parts of the country today Veterans Day is now relegated to a more convenient time…like a Sunday morning…when it will cause the least amount of disruption to daily activities, and, related ceremonies for it will only have nominal public attendance, as if the whole thing were an afterthought, an empty gesture to that…tradition…just to keep up appearances.

Of course, assorted career politicos, media types, entertainment personalities, not to mention big brand business entities, all seize the occasion to mouth their usual pious platitudes about how they’re “honoring” the sacrifices of these defenders of our liberties, etc., etc., etc., while in the midst of all that hot air, those same big brand entities promote big sales of all sorts of consumer goodies, even if few of the profits from these ever go towards providing real help for any such defender of those liberties who might be in dire need of help. In that regard, it equals an old saying…you have friends at the VA…just try and find them. The harsh reality is veterans are – America’s Most Unwanted – unless they’re brought home in a flag-draped box.

Thus, a few years ago, a few fellow veterans and I chose to more or less opt out of such meaningless mummeries, making our own Veterans Day, since others only observe it if it doesn’t interfere with a normal work day. We’ve created our own tradition. One that better and more strongly enhances our sense of appreciation and brotherhood for all those few, those precious few, who, like us, have served for duty, honor, and country. So each year, we get together at a different, relatively small place’s cemetery, attending whatever ceremonies there might be there, and to also pay our respects to any brother veterans who might be buried there.

Afterwards, we share a luncheon at a local joint, often meeting other local veterans and their families, giving us and even greater sense of that bond of brotherhood. But my greatest satisfaction, however, comes whenever we encounter passersby who seem indifferent or uninterested in the occasion, at which point I just smile and silently think…you poor twits, you’ll never know what it means to be…a veteran. And that…makes my day!

CENTURION