(SBA) - This is always a very busy time of year as we begin the sprint with Halloween that ends only after New Year’s Day. But it seems that this period is even more prolonged as we see Halloween costumes in the store in July and Christmas decorations on the shelves in September. We are all so busy trying to keep up that many events seem to pass unnoticed. Columbus Day, now more appropriately Indigenous Peoples’ Day, receives very little attention in the news, perhaps because we are so ashamed by how our ancestors treated the people who were on our continent many centuries before North America was “discovered” by European governments. This year so many events were eclipsed by the election of a new President, a Congress with a Republican majority and a Supreme Court that has declared complete immunity for acts committed by a sitting President. What will happen when a new power takes effect in 2025?
One event that I fear will disappear is the observance of Veterans’ Day. President-Elect Donald Trump has already demonstrated his disdain for those who serve our country, as evidenced by several acts he committed while President, as well as comments he made as he endeavored to be elected for a second time. One event that comes to mind is his disdain for a Gold Star Family (one that has lost a loved one in service) whom he excoriated on national television. Another of his acts was to indicate to his generals that he never again wanted to be involved in an event that included service personnel with visible disabilities. Many times, over the years, Donald Trump has termed service members as “losers” because they chose to serve their country while he avoided military service with a diagnosis of “bone spurs.” Am I bitter? Yes, I am. My ancestors have served in war time in the United States since one of my forebears served with George Washington at Valley Forge. I lost two family members in the Civil War who died at Chickamauga while another was held captive at Andersonville prison. In the twentieth century, my grandfather, Harry Scarbrough, served in World War I, my father, Ted Krell, served in World War II, my uncle, Dale Scarbrough served in Korea and both my husband, and my ex-husband served during Vietnam. Shouldn’t their sacrifices be marked in some tangible way?
So, why am I so concerned about what may happen to the Veterans’ Day holiday in the future? Veteran’s Day became a legal holiday dedicated to veterans of all wars in 1918, when on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month an armistice was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I. November 11th became a federal holiday in 1938 termed “Armistice Day” until in the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, the day became known as “Veterans’ Day.” To this day, individuals who served in 20th century wars are honored 365 days of the year at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Veterans Day should not be confused with “Memorial Day” which honors those individuals killed during war time. Veterans’ Day honors ALL who have served our nation. In the past, Veterans’ Day was celebrated with parades, prayers and thanksgiving and in recent years, veterans have been invited to enjoy a special meal at designated restaurants nationwide and/or have been offered discounts or small gifts as a way to thank those who have served. Now, it seems that the only real recognition of the day is in television advertisements offering discounts, now only to service members, but to anyone with enough money to buy a new mattress or some kinds of furniture. This year, sadly, the true meaning of Veterans’ Day went virtually unnoticed.
Today, wars in which American service people remain involved are rampant, both in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and in the war between Israel and Hamas. Donald Trump has vowed to end both actions, and we pray that he does, but not in the face of more bloodshed. We also face increased conflict within our nation, between the Republican and the Democrat factions, which may end in a civil war, unlike the previous 19th century conflict where lines of demarcation were clearly drawn. Today, blood is shed on our streets virtually every day and we can only pray that these conflicts do not escalate further. Over the next weeks and months, please join me in praying that our President Elect, Donald Trump, finds a way to reestablish peace in our nation and in our world. If not, we all face a very dire future.
