In 1938 Congress proclaimed; "...it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and...inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."
The date referred is November 11th; the day an armistice was signed bringing an end to the "War to end all wars". The proclamation established Armistice Day as a national holiday.
Unfortunately the horrors of World War One were to be outdone by those of World War Two and to honor the sacrifices of the veterans who fought in it and the Korean War, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day in 1954. Previous proclamations by Presidents Wilson (1919) and Coolidge (1926) did recognize the sacrifice of those who fought and died in WWI. While it is fitting and proper to honor all veterans for their service, the original intent of November eleventh has become lost to the militarization and commercialization of this important date.
With flags flying and bands playing, veterans from all eras march in parades. Dignitaries give glowing speeches glorifying the heroism of those who had the misfortune to end up in combat. Fighter jets streak above the gathered crowds, cannons roar, taps played and shopping malls offer special sales on merchandise more than likely made in third world countries. So one day a year we remember those men and women who put on the uniform and took the oath. The rest of the year it is business as usual. We pass by the homeless vet with the cardboard sign. We allowed our elected representatives to gut the Veterans Administration.
This is nothing new. Throughout the history of the United States, veterans have been treated abysmally until WWII veterans were granted the first G.I. bill. When that bill expired, the new G.I. bills which followed, were mere shadows of the original and again established the perception, if not the fact, that veterans could be thrown a bone and be happy. While America enjoyed the economic benefits of the 50s and 60s, veterans who had been exposed to atomic bomb tests, used as lab rats in experiments of the effects of different chemicals and drugs at the Army's Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland and exposed to Agent Orange and other chemicals in Vietnam were denied claims or simply ignored by the government, the public and the Veterans Administration. This pattern was continued as veterans of Desert Storm started displaying disturbing aliments after they returned from the war. They too were dismissed until years later Gulf War Syndrome was recognized as a real malady.
The military casualties of war are the price paid by those who are called to engage in its "obscenity of violence". And as history has shown, it seems one day a year is adequate to remember their service.
Now we have the returning veterans from the wars and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan. There have been numerous reports of the way the returning veterans have been treated and there is no need to rehash every scandal and misstep perpetrated on these men and women except to say that while shocking, it was not unexpected if history is our guide. While there have been individuals and many ad hoc organizations set up to try and help these service men and women and the general public reads or hears a heartwarming story about a vet overcoming his or her disability, we soon forget as we are distracted by the next celebrity divorce, death or DUI endlessly repeated on what is called "news".
There are many differing opinions on what a "just war" is and whether the two we are engaged in qualify. There should be no difference of opinion on how to recognize and compensate those who answered the call.
We, as members of Veterans For Peace, will honor our brothers and sisters in arms in a different way, by working to increasing public awareness of the costs of war. We will work to restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations. We will work to end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons. We will work to seek justice for veterans and victims of war, and to abolish war as an instrument of national policy. This is our mission. So on this November eleventh we will not be marching in parades. As Ulysses S. Grant stated; "The one thing I never want to see again is a military parade."
Instead we will be gathering to renew the spirit of Armistice Day and commemorate it, "with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations." We will be gathering to reflect on our mission and to move it forward with purpose and commitment. We will be gathering to renew our bonds of service and the bonds forged by a realization that war is obsolete and that peace is the only path to a "more perfect union" with "liberty and justice for all."
VFP Chapter 72
Armistice Day Commemoration
11:11 a.m. on 11/11
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Portland, Oregon