It’s Our Day - November 11th

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. 11/11/11 was the end of the War to End All Wars. The Armistice took effect that morning at 11am when the Allied powers and Germany signed the document, ending the fighting. The Treaty of Versailles that actually ended the war was signed on June 28, the following year.

That war was in fact NOT the war to end all wars. Twenty years later, Europe and Asia were embroiled in conflict that would eventually be dubbed World War II. Those conflicts ended in May and August, respectively, of 1945. Much like WWI, the days of proclaimed victory, the end of fighting, and official documents being signed are not all the same.

WWII was also the last time Congress officially declared War. Officially, we haven’t been in a war since 1945. That doesn’t mean there hasn’t been fighting. That surely doesn’t mean US Servicemembers haven’t been sacrificing and dying since the end of World War II. The Korean Conflict is technically still active, only held together by a cease fire. Vietnam, much like Afghanistan, ended with a disastrous and chaotic withdrawal.

There were invasions of Grenada and Panama. Desert Shield and Desert Storm wasn’t a war. The fighting in Somalia is very well known, specifically because of Blackhawk Down. Then there is the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq, even though Congress never officially declared war. There are more conflicts and fighting in there, including the Cold War, the Balkans and even the Dominican Republic in 1965. We won’t even get into the clandestine and classified operations carried out globally since WWII.

By the way, there are others out there that I haven’t mentioned both before, and after, WWII. Too many to list, honestly.

What was originally Armistice Day, marking the end of fighting in WWI, evolved into the modern Veteran’s Day where all Veterans have been celebrated, whether they served in combat or not. It has been, rightfully so, distinct from Memorial Day when we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.

With the United States being involved in virtually constant conflict since the end of WWII, establishing individual days to honor each and every one could have become all consuming. It also would have watered down the impact with there being so many. It would have been unruly and, frankly, many would have been lost in the shuffle. And how would you even acknowledge the service of those that didn’t serve in combat if you only talk about the conflicts??

So, we’ve had Veterans Day since 1954. It is a Federal Holiday. Some businesses are closed. Some schools are closed. Those numbers seem to be shrinking. I found a poll from 2011 that stated 21% of employers planned to observe Veterans Day. That is almost 15 years ago. I doubt those numbers have increased.

Now, President Trump has decided he is going to change the name of Veterans Day to “Victory Day for World War I” because he said, “We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”

So, let me get this right.

We, the United States, who haven’t been in an official war since 1945 are going to start celebrating victories. OK. What about Korea? Not a war and still technically unresolved. What about Vietnam? Argue on behalf of the men and women that fought there, but that is almost universally NOT described as a victory. Operation Iraqi Freedom? You could call it a victory, but we are still there fighting terrorists in the region, so is it really? Afghanistan is clearly not a victory. I think everyone agrees on that.

Sounds like we are back to WWI and WWII. I guess we can throw in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Not a war, but definitely a win. Wait, we had to go back and defeat Iraq (again) in 2003. So, was it? Wait…the Cold War. We won that one. The Soviet Union collapsed. But that left Russia. And Communism is still around. So, did we win that one?

I guess we need the President to determine what we classify as a victory? And in the meantime, are we telling the veterans who served from 1946 to now, through Korea and Vietnam and Somalia and the Balkans and the War on Terror and the Cold War that they didn’t win, so we aren’t celebrating their service?

And are we establishing a WWII Victory Day as well? Someone mentioned May 8th, which is commonly known as “Victory - Europe” Day, or V-E Day. But there was fighting in the Pacific Theater for a few more months after V-E Day, so should that really be the date we use to celebrate? Pretty sure my grandfather who was in a torpedo bomber off the USS WASP in 1945 would argue the war sure as hell didn’t end in May.

Normally, I am one of the first people to give President Trump the benefit of the doubt when he makes comments like this. I can see through his bluster and his normally terrible delivery over social media to understand what his real intent is. I do give him some grace on most occasions, and I have patience because I know there is always more coming.

Not this time. He stepped in it. The entire idea of this is stupid. Sorry, folks but you’ll never convince me this is thought out, you’ll never convince me this is a good idea, and you’ll never convince me that celebrating a victory is worth taking a shit on the service of generations of Veterans.

There has been a slow trickle in this country where we have become less and less aware of Veterans Day. It has, in many businesses and school districts, a barely acknowledged day on the calendar. Most places, including schools, do not close for Veterans Day. Many will have a celebration of sorts, and I applaud them for at least making the effort. But we have been distracted by free meals at your local steakhouse and discount coupons and free cups of coffee and flags on streetlights. Some towns have parades, which is great…. except people are working or in school unless they hold it on a weekend.

And if you’re upset about what President Trump is proposing but you haven’t brought it up to your boss or school district before now, you’re too late.

Regardless of all that, this is a terrible and disrespectful idea from President Trump and the White House. For now, he bears the brunt of this proclamation. Secretary Hegseth (DoD) and Secretary Collins (Veterans Administration) have a VERY short window to speak up on behalf of Veterans, along with EVERY SINGLE member of Congress, no matter which party.

Veterans get one day. All of us. We don’t get a month like so many other demographics. Or even a week. We get one day for this Republic to express her gratitude to the individuals who have served her. ONE F*CKING DAY.

Leave it alone Mr. President. Show some humility and walk it back. Don’t try to sidestep or talk your way out of it. This is a bad idea. And if no one else has told you or is telling you, I’m telling you right now.

Don’t touch it. It’s our day. November 11th.