How much do you know about Veteran’s Day?
Veterans Day was honored by the Barstow community with an assembly held in the gymnasium. The official date of Veteran’s Day was November 11th each year leading up to Thanksgiving and the other winter holidays. We should learn more about this inspiring event.
Many students and teachers understand the importance of honoring our veterans and appreciated the assembly. Guilherme Tabuchi ’29, “I think we need to be proud of everyone who served, and I think everyone is very brave.”
According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2023 seventy-eight percent of US veterans served during war time, and twenty-two percent served during peacetime. There are 7.8 million living U.S. veterans that served in the Gulf War, nearly five and a half million living veterans served during Vietnam, and around 767,000 who served in the Korean conflict in the 1940 and 1950s. Less than one percent, or fewer than 120,000, veterans from World War II are still living today.
Men make up the majority of veterans with women making up 11% of the total number. However, the Veterans Administration predicts that share will increase to 18% by 2048.
Furthermore, the number of living veterans will decrease by about 34% by 2048. After 1973, when the draft ended, the number of active-duty service members dropped from 3.5 million in 1968 to 1.3 million today. Our service members are now an all-volunteer force.
This special holiday was originally known as Armistice Day. In 1954, after World War II it was changed to Veteran’s Day. Other countries honor their Veterans on this day as well. This day is also known as Remembrance Day. There are a few traditional ways to honor veterans on Veteran’s Day, including an increase in processions or postings of the American Flag. We also give the opportunity for veterans to share their stories such as the school assembly. People often wear a red poppy or provide free or discounted meals to veterans.
This year for Veterans Day we had inspiring speeches, a very exciting performance from the lower school and the faculty choir, and a great atmosphere.
However, Veteran’s Day is not without its criticisms. Ms. Scott, varsity debate coach and B-Line advisor, acknowledged that the veteran community is oftentimes underserved and underappreciated.
She stated, “I think that Veteran’s Day is important to draw attention to the people who serve but unfortunately that’s pretty much where it stops.” She goes on to explain that the Veteran community does not always receive the support they need for mental health challenges and other repercussions of war.
Visiting veterans gave speeches telling us about trust, sad memories, and having to band together even though people may be different from one another. This assembly encouraged the students to think more about what it means to serve your country and to show respect to those who have. Make sure you appreciate our veterans on more than just Veteran’s Day!
