Stories and reports from today, Veteran's Day
- http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/11/11/363286759/on-armistice-day-in-u-k-a-sea-of-red-poppies-remembers-the-fallen
- http://www.npr.org/2014/11/11/362817642/a-marines-parents-story-their-memories-that-you-should-hear
Past Armistice Day Ceremony in London
- BBC 2011 Remembrance Sunday Ceremony at the Cenotaph - Part 1 of 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe9nE4LhnOo
Memorial Music (classical, but you should listen anyway)
- Barber's AGNUS DEI - Sacred Choral Music - The Choir of New College, Oxford http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRwhkBAeheM
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otcwvO3fXBE&feature=youtu.be This is set to the very famous poem, In Flander's Field. This Wikipedia entry explains the poem and the context, including the symbolism of poppies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Flanders_Fields
http://abcnews.go.com/US/veterans-day-2014-touching-photo-shows-paraplegic-veteran/story?id=26817924
ReplyDeleteThis is a more uplifting story about a veteran who served in Afghanistan. He suffered from PTSD and was in a motorcycle accident when he returned from service, paralyzing him from the waist down. He was able to have his first dance without a wheel chair at his wedding. Stories like these make me really appreciative of the true sacrifice our veterans make because it highlights how real the effects of combat are after they have done their service.
This Veteran's day really opened my eyes to PTSD and the hypocrisy of some of the viewpoints towards war. I was at work and a coworker of mine has completed 3 tours in Iraq as a foot soldier. He recorded over 300 combat engagements and has been through it all. Because of all the trauma, he has slight PTSD and a somewhat negative viewpoint of the American people. I was very timid to approach him for veterans day; however, since he is a friend/coworker, I sucked it up and said happy veterans day and thank you for your service. This got a half-hearted smile and a thanks. I have had previous conversations about his service so I asked him how he felt about this holiday. He responded with the only thank you's I get today is because of the holiday and people feel obligated. 364 other days of the year, there is little support and half the people are saying it not because they mean it, but because they feel obligated to. Also, the part that gets me the most, is that you have no idea what you are thanking me for. You smile and say thanks for your service, but you don't really what I had to do during my service. I did my job and I don't regret it; however, if they average person knew, I doubt they would be so quit to thank me.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a very powerful conversation because I believe veterans do not receive the respect they deserve. Also, the "thank you for your service" is very polite and courteous, however, it may bring up horrific memories of killing another human being which can be hard to deal with. There is such a big disconnect between the average person and veterans that we must be careful on how we present ourselves and show our support.
You bring up a really good point Brent, I hadn't really thought about it, but we really do have no idea what people go through who have fought for our country. There is such a disconnect and I can definitely see how expressing gratitude for their service could bring up bad memories. I agree that a lot of times people do only thank veterans for their service on Veterans day and only because they feel obliged to, but that really isn't the way it should be, because they have done so much for our country that we cannot even begin to comprehend and veterans often are terribly under appreciated for all that they do.
DeleteBrent your view about the disconnect between a civilian and a veteran is right on. My neighbor served in Afghanistan for a year. It is something that i could not wrap my head around he showed us a few photos of some towns and the army base and him and a few other soldiers carrying giant guns. to live in that situation for a year is something i will never understand truly. But i do appreciate all of those who serve. And we need to think how veterans day effects the soldiers of memories brought back from their time served.
DeleteThis story will definitely make me think twice about what I say to veterans in the future. While we might simply see it as a nice gesture to thank them for their service and wish them a happy Veteran’s Day, it most likely has a deeper meaning to them that we aren't aware of. No one could ever fully conceptualize what it’s like to be in the military unless they've done it themselves And, sadly, Veteran’s Day might be a day that is really difficult for some veterans to cope with, as it brings up suppressed memories from their past. Veteran’s Day is a wonderful holiday to have so that we can honor our veterans and thank them for the freedom we get to enjoy. But, maybe we need to stop and think about what the day means to those we are honoring and be more sensitive to how it might make them feel.
DeleteBrent, I think that you make a great point. We civilians have no idea what the person has endured as they defended our country. I also agree that simply saying thank you doesn't even begin to repay them for the service that they done. Soldiers don't get enough recognition for their service.
DeleteEverything Brent said is similar to experiences I have had with veterans as well. I never truly understood the sacrifice the service men/women and their families make until my family became a part of it. My brother-in-law is in the army and has been in Afghanistan twice for a year at a time both times he went. My sister and brother-in-law have been sent all over the world for the military. My sister was a counselor for the Army while they were stationed in Germany. Her job was to check the soldiers coming home for PTSD and help soldiers go to college or assist them in what they wanted to do after the army. There have been times I have noticed where my brother-in-law is having a hard time and its a tough situation when there is not much a civilian can do to help other than let him know I love him.
ReplyDeleteI honestly had no idea that the poppy was a symbol of veterans, so learning about this and the meaning behind it from the wikipedia article and the NPR blog was really interesting. The pictures of the vast sea of poppies around the Tower of London were amazing, it would be so incredibly moving to have been there on Veterans day when they observed the time of silence in remembrance for those who gave their lives. It is really good though to see such a display of gratitude to the Veterans, because it seems like they just get forgotten about most of the year and even on Veterans day by many.
ReplyDeleteKristin,
DeleteJust like you I did not know that poppy was the symbol of veterans. So, I also think it was very interesting to learn about that and the meaning behind it. I also agree that it would have been very touching to have actually been there on Veterans day to do the remembrance of silence for those who gave their lives. Just thinking about it gives me the goosebumps; I can't even imagine. Overall, I am so thankful for all the Veterans that serve for us and our country and honestly can not thank them enough for all that they do. Always remember.
The idea of giving thanks to veterans but not really understand how it can bring up horrific memories from their time at battle makes me think differently about veterans day. These men and women need more than just one day of thank you's and appreciation such as free meals all day at restaurant chains. The government should do more for veterans especially when so many veterans are homeless or dealing with injuries. So maybe not just think of veterans on this day but also think of them daily.
ReplyDeleteEmily I agree with you. While it is nice for there to be a day where people outwardly appreciate and give thanks to veterans it is important to do it everyday. No one knows the struggles they went through or are going through in the service. We need to thank them daily and especially when we see them out in public.
DeleteI think it is amazing what they did London with poppies. I am truly thankful for every single service men and women. What these people do is amazing and I am forever grateful. I have a brother who attends a military academy in New York and when he graduates he has to serve in some brand of the military. Grant it he wants to serve and the education he is receiving is the top of the line. It scars me to think that one day he may have to fight in a war some where and heave forbid he gets hurt. With my brother, I have a new perspective what it means to sacrifice one's life for one's country. I can't even express how thankful I am. I can also attest that I am not able to commit to such a task as to fight or defend my country.
ReplyDeleteWhen thinking about Veteran’s Day, and military service as a whole, there is a song that always pops in my head, called “Bring Him Home.” The first time I heard this song was at an All-State Chorus concert my junior year of high school. My fellow classmates sang in the men’s ensemble and “Bring Him Home” was one of the songs they sang. I thought the song was very beautiful. The piano melody is one that I've tried to learn myself because I like it so much. But beyond the melody, the words are really powerful.
ReplyDeleteWhen I listen to the words, I envision two soldiers, one middle-aged and one young. The young one is wounded and might die. The older soldier is praying over the younger, asking God to spare the young soldier and take the older soldier’s life if need be. The imagery this song creates for me is very sad, but awesome, for lack of better words. Selflessness does not run short in the U.S. Military. It’s a quality we should all strive to have, and every Veteran’s Day I am reminded to get my priorities straight.
This is a link to the lyrics of the song: http://lyrics.wikia.com/Claude-Michel_Sch%C3%B6nberg:Bring_Him_Home
This is a link to a YouTube video of The Piano Guys performing the song. There are no words, just instruments. I just wanted to share how pretty the melody is: http://youtu.be/5mJ08-pyDLg