Look, I don’t mean to be disrespectful and whatnot, but I have to say it: Veteran’s Day is kind of lame. Don’t look at me like that. I have a good reason for thinking this way.
VETERAN’S DAY IS KIND OF LAME…
because it doesn’t apply to me but people thank me anyway.
Yeah, I was in the military — for two measly years, attached to a military intelligence battalion, a non-deployable unit stationed in Hawaii. That’s right. For two years I got to take two-hour lunches during the hottest part of the day, and when I got off work — a 9to5 desk job — I was free to visit Waikiki or Honolulu, play at the beach, be a tourist, take in the sights. Rough times, that.
It’s often pointed out that, while I didn’t serve during war time, as a soldier I WOULD have given my life for my country if it was called for. And that’s why I’m thanked for my service — for what I MIGHT have done.
But that’s dumb. I knew going in that I would be attached to that non-deployable military intelligence unit in Hawaii. Where’s the risk in THAT?
VETERAN’S DAY IS KIND OF LAME…
because it doesn’t take into account all those who joined for the “wrong” reasons.
Also? I didn’t really have any options beyond enlisting in the military. I was a single mom with zero college or work experience, and very little support from my parents to change my situation. I didn’t come from money so had nothing to my name. Joining the Army was really the only choice I had, if I wanted to get on my own two feet and care for my son on my own.
That’s not really valiant and brave, am I right?
My situation represents the current status of many enlistees today. Check the stats if you don’t believe me. Enlistees are composed of the lowest dregs of our economy. Most are minorities; all are poor.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m grateful for those signed up to protect my freedoms. But I do question thanking them for a service they didn’t exactly volunteer for so much as resign themselves to.
VETERAN’S DAY IS KIND OF LAME…
because it no longer represents the attitudes of military members.
Military service today is not the same as it was fifty years ago. It once meant something great and prestigious. There was pride for country — patriotism — an eagerness to represent our great nation and safeguard her freedoms. Young men flocked to enlistment centers during times of war, ready to show evil-doers a thing or two about right-vs-wrong.
Now? Not so much of that.
VETERAN’S DAY IS KIND OF LAME…
because most veterans are dead now.
Here are the people I thank for service, and not just one day a year as pointed out on my calendar.
- Lifers. Although, we don’t really thank other lifers in equally altruistic positions of society (teachers, firefighters, police staff, etc) so even this one is shaky.
- Old people. They signed up back when it actually meant something. I gots mad respect for them guys. This group mostly consists of anyone up through the Vietnam era.
- Vietnam vets. Those guys got shit on, end of story. And to my thinking, they are the last of the true volunteers.
- Dead people, regardless of era. I mean, if you died for your country, you’re pretty fucking cool. Dead, but cool.
- POWs, regardless of era. Getting caught sucks ballz. I panicked during hide-n-seek. I can’t imagine being found for realz.
- Anyone today who actually joined for heroic reasons. Although, I’d have to stop and ask them one-by-one, before thanking them, and that’s kind of tacky. So never mind.
VETERAN’S DAY IS KIND OF LAME…
because let’s face it. America is kind of lame, too.
