BRIEF HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY
On November 11, 1918, WWI ended. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it as a day to remember those who served in the war: Armistice Day. Many lives were lost, as much as changed, in the First World War. It wasn’t until after WWII that there was a push to celebrate all veterans, not just the ones who served during WWI. Today, November 11 is observed as Veterans Day; a day made to honor all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and recognize the sacrifices they have made for the country they live in.
There are plenty of those who served and have their own stories to tell. In honor of these veterans, their voices were put on paper and the true scars and experiences of the aftermath of war are now published for the world to understand what it takes to be a veteran.
VETERANS
Jarron Webster, George Trowbridge, Tonja Anderson-Dell, and Jonathan Bonnet.
These are the names of four veterans–or family members of veterans–and authors who were brave enough to share their stories with the world, and as a day to celebrate their service approaches, we will take a look at the importance of what their stories hold.
- In Jarron Webster’s Millennial Marriages: A Military Relationship, he explores the unique challenges and dynamics of marriages among millennials in the military, specifically through the journey of Mark and Wendy. There is a distinctive resilience that this couple must have in order to face multiple issues that come barrelling their way–frequent relocations, financial pressures, family planning, and the difficulty of maintaining trust amid long periods of separation. Through this story, readers get to truly understand the ins and outs of navigating a military marriage as a millennial pairing.
There is more than one story Jarron Webster has told, as the Air Force veteran now finds himself as an inspirational speaker and realtor, who attempts to encourage people around the nation and takes pride in helping find their homes which he once fought to protect.
- George Trowbridge’s Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir takes a more personal and introspective tone, sharing an account of his service in the U.S. Navy during the latter part of the Vietnam War. This memoir captures Trowbridge’s journey through training and active duty, sharing accounts of missions in which he faced enemy fire and the emotional and physical toll it would take on him and his comrades. This firsthand perspective is informative of history and life in the military, while also exploring the emotional turmoil of what it means to be a veteran of the Vietnam War.
After twenty years in the U.S. Navy, George’s story has been ready to be seen by the world. He continues to serve his country through occasional marine technologies and advanced ship navigation training courses, and we want to continue to celebrate his work in serving and protecting–even in retirement.
- Tonja Anderson-Dell’s Gifts From a Glacier: The Quest for an American Flag and 52 Souls is a poignant memoir that uncovers the story of a tragic plane crash from 1952. As the granddaughter of one of the fallen soldiers from the crash of a U.S. Air Force C-124 Globemaster, Anderson-Dell embarks on a quest for closure, aiming to recover an American flag that symbolizes their sacrifice. Her memoir offers a deep exploration of loss, legacy, and persistence, as she seeks to honor her grandfather and bring closure to the families of the other servicemen who perished.
This memoir and Tonja Anderson-Dell’s journey to bringing the lost military home prove to do exactly what Veterans Day is all about: honoring those who have served our country and making sure their voices and stories are heard.
- Scars of a Soldier by Jonathan Bonnet is a memoir that narrates Bonnet’s journey from his troubled adolescence to his service as a soldier in Afghanistan. Bonnet reflects on the emotional and psychological scars left by both his past struggles and his experiences in combat. His deeply personal account offers unique insight into the challenges of transitioning from a life of instability to the military, shedding light on resilience and the pursuit of healing and normalcy after traumatizing experiences.
Jonathan Bonnet explores the psychological and emotional scars he was ridden with throughout his life and opens himself up in an effort to narrate exactly what it means to be a veteran–and how to live as a veteran outside of the battlefield.
These four authors are only a few of many, but they have shared their words with the world in hopes of shedding light on the experiences of military marriages, bloody battlefields, recovering lost artifacts, and all that comes after.
CELEBRATE
There are plenty of ways to celebrate the valiant service of members of our military. Even beyond Veterans Day, it is important to express thanks year-round to any veterans you might run into. There are a few other ways to celebrate our veterans including:
Visiting a Veterans Hospital
- Taking time to visit Veterans Hospitals and simply chatting with elderly or injured veterans is a great way to brighten their day and remind them of the world they fought for. You might want to sit and listen to fascinating stories of their service or bring an activity to do with them, either way, it is a lovely way to spend time with–and support–our veterans.
Attend Local Veterans Parade
- Plenty of cities hold a Veterans parade in honor of those in service. Parades are a common and very expressive way of showing support for something. Finding out when and where your city’s Veterans Parade is being held is a great way to enthusiastically show your support for local veterans.
Wear a Red Poppy
- During the First World War, millions of soldiers witnessed fields of red poppies on the Western Front, and they would sometimes send pressed poppies home with their letters. Since then, red poppies have been internationally recognized as a symbol of remembrance for WWI. Wearing a red poppy would be a simple, yet kind, way to show support for our veterans.
Send a Card/Care Package
- There are multiple organizations who dedicate themselves to creating and sending care packages and letters expressing gratitude. Reach out to an organization closest to you, and see how you can help. If you have the ability to donate food and other goods for the care packages that get sent to soldiers, it would be a gesture that would show support and also aid those in service who are in need.
These are only some of the ways we can show support to our veterans. History is told through stories, and those who have fought to be part of history and even aided in changing it are the stories that demand to be heard. In honor of the veterans with a story to tell, we can offer to listen. Whether that be through purchasing a book, wearing a flower, or listening to the stories of veterans around you, there is always a way to show support for those who fight for us.
Blog written by Lux Figueroa
Richter Publishing 