Opinion: Veterans Day is a holiday for every American

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As November days grow shorter and colder, CU students demonstrate their patriotism in honor of Veteran’s Day.

In the midst of war efforts in the Middle East, celebrating Veterans Day means something to every American.

Across the country, Americans congregate in remembrance and appreciation of veterans who have passed. This dedication extends to the 23 million veterans in the U.S. today, as of 2008.

CU invites students, faculty and the public to the Veterans Day ceremony, held in the Glenn Miller Ballroom of the UMC at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.

The UMC is a student union facility built and funded to serve as a living memorial to Coloradan veterans who served in the World Wars. CU’s Veterans Day ceremony is reputed as Colorado’s official memorial service to veterans because of the building’s dedication.

In appreciation of veterans, CU has implemented a discount on football game tickets for them and their families. At the CU-Iowa State game on Saturday, veterans and their families will receive a five dollar discount on their tickets.

The university’s admirable acknowledgement of Veterans Day spreads a positive and patriotic climate to the student body.

Many veterans enlisted overseas sacrificed a college experience in order to defend America, a sacrifice not all CU students have been forced to make, which should leave them particularly appreciative of the veterans.

Nationally, citizens commemorate and celebrate America’s veterans on a larger scale.

The annual Veterans Day national ceremony will be held at the Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m. EST. It will include speeches and a celebration of veterans’ organizations.

The majority of the memorial services are being held at 11 a.m. for a historic reason.

Veterans Day occurs on the 11th day of the 11th month because on Nov. 11, 1918, the allied nations and Germany engaged in armistice, which ended WWI. One year later, President Wilson declared the day one for veteran appreciation.

Though wars have not ceased, a peaceful attitude and general appreciation towards veterans was established.

This Veterans Day deserves the utmost consideration as we near a decade of U.S. involvement in wars in the Middle East.

While many citizens support the U.S. Armed Forces and war efforts, many outwardly proclaim their political opposition.

No matter your views on the war effort, veterans must be isolated from the politics of war and honored for their courage and dedication.

According to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, over two million men and women have served or currently serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As of Nov. 10, there have been 2,189 deaths and 9,095 wounded in Afghanistan. In Iraq, 4,746 Americans have died, and 31,981 are wounded, according to CNN.

The number of dead and injured soldiers climbs every day.

Celebrating Veterans Day means more than enjoying a day off from work and department store sales. Appreciating veterans requires an appreciation of the lifestyles we are provided by their fighting.

Though Veterans Day passes by Nov. 12, soldiers should be applauded daily, whether the cause of their fighting aligns with your values or not. The Armed Forces make sacrifices on the behalf of American citizens as they step up and risk their lives to save the lives of millions of other people.

If you aren’t sacrificing your life, someone else is sacrificing his or hers for you. For that exchange, every American should be appreciative.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Devon Barrow at [email protected].