Thursday, March 28, 2024

Honoring our veterans

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. It got its start as “Armistice Day,” first observed on November 11, 1919 to mark the first anniversary of the end of World War I which had been at the time been considered to be “the war to end all wars.” In 1926 Congress passed a resolution calling for an annual observance and in 1938, on the eve of the Second World War, it officially became a national holiday. It also was officially changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

The day is set aside to honor all veterans, living or dead, but especially the living who served their country honorably in both war and peace.

The day will be observed with special ceremonies and programs. Locally several schools will have special programs and Legion and VFW organizations will also observe the day as will many businesses.

It is appropriate that all Americans come together on this day to honor those men and women who served their country well over the years.

We know these veterans. We see many of them every day. They are our family, our friends. They deserve all the thanks we give them on their day.

But if there is one thing veterans know it is that if they and their military units are to successfully complete their mission, they must act as a group, united in purpose.

As it often does Veterans Day this year comes only a few days after election day. Just days ago, Americans went to the polls to cast their votes in what has been one of the most polarizing elections in our history.

Like veterans, all Americans, whether they vote red or blue, need to remember that the nation can only survive if we are united. That does not mean that everyone will agree. There will be differences of opinion and sometimes those differences will lead to heated discussions.

But there is still one unifying factor — we are all Americans.

This year, certainly say thank you to our veterans. They deserve that for agreeing to put others above themselves. But in addition to saying “thank you” lets resolve to work together, despite our differences, to show that we are worthy of the sacrifices made by those veterans.

 

 

 

Dodge County Independent

Dodge County Independent
Dodge County ADvantage
301 S. Mantorville Ave.
Plaza 57 • Suite 200
Kasson, MN 55944

Dodge County Printing
301 S. Mantorville Ave.
Plaza 57 • Suite 200
Kasson, MN 55944

507-634-7503
 
Hours: 
Monday-Thursday 10a.m.-3p.m.