It seems like a long time ago — although it really wasn’t — that active duty members of the military and veterans weren’t exactly welcome in the country they served.
There are plenty of veterans today, men and women, who remember being told not to wear their uniforms off base or off post because it might generate negative reactions among the civilian population.
This was during the Vietnam War and its aftermath, when soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen were often referred to as “baby killers” and who — at least according to the urban legend — were sometimes spat at by those who opposed the war and were unable to differentiate between the conflict itself and those who were compelled to actually participate in it.
It was an ugly and unfortunate chapter in our recent history, quite different from that experienced by the veterans of an earlier war — WW II — who were welcomed back to America with parades and eventually earned the sobriquet “The Greatest Generation” for their accomplish- ments, and deservedly so.
In more recent years, particularly since 9/11, America seems to have come full circle with its veterans, which is a very good thing.
Now, instead of berating our warriors or worse, we organize welcoming receptions when they come home, portray them positively in the media, write books and make movies about their heroism and sacrifice, place flags on their graves on Memorial Day, and routinely thank them for their service when encountering them face-to-face.
Perhaps to compensate for the mistakes of the past, America has even opened its arms to those veterans who served in Korea, the “Forgotten War,” and Vietnam.
All of these positive things will no doubt take place across America this weekend, as the nation marks Veterans Day. Thankfully and to its credit, the nation has regained the ability to appreciate the hardships endured and the sacrifices made by those who truly understand the cost of freedom.
It is important to offer these gestures of gratitude and respect, just as it remains crucial to honor our obligations to those who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Africa and other scenes of recent conflict.
We must continue to help them recover from the psychological and emotional traumas they suffered during their service, no less than help them heal from their physical injuries.
We must offer them our sustained support as they strive to reintegrate themselves back into civilian life, educational pursuits, careers and families.
These are the best and most useful ways to thank our veterans and to mark November 11, the day that honors them.
We owe them no less.
Copyright © 2017 by the Intermountain Jewish News
