11/11/11 - A lot of people are excited for this day because a game gets released today, Skyrim. Its cool and all, but don’t forget, today is Veteran’s Day AKA Armistice Day. Whether you agree with the war or support the troops or not, take a moment to think about what the vetean’s of the US have done.
Also, if you are so inclined, call your local representatives and ask what they are doing to get the homeless veterans off the street and how they are helping veterans with PTSD. About 25% of all homeless are veterans. They are often stuck because they can not get the proper paperwork to prove they are veterans and recieve help from the VA. Many of them suffer from a mental illness, which is caused by their time serving in the military.
Furthermore, we Americans should also note that Veteran’s Day is a far more solemn occasion in Europe, and rightly so. The first world war ravaged the entire continent far worse than Americans have ever seen in their land. Armistice Day celebrates the peace that came, even though it may have been short-lived, in the wake of the conflict. Americans seem to have ignored this celebration and instead change it into a celebration of our own soldiers. The fact that Americans now honor our own rather than mark November 11th because it commemorates the ceasefire that came from the bloodiest war in the world has ever seen at the time deserves a fair amount of skepticism.
I am not trying to undermine what the American Veterans have done. All veterans deserve our respect and gratitude. I am just trying to convey what the true meaning of Veteran’s day is and how much damage it has done in other places.
Picture credits to Tony the Misfit
