At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 the guns fell silent after four years of bloodshed. Almost twenty million military and civilian lives were lost in the first world war. The 11th of November became known as Armistice day, a day to remember those who had earned the hard fought peace. In 1954, in the wake of the second world war, it was renamed Veteran’s Day in order to honor all who have served in the military. Commander of the Lynn Canal American Legion and Vietnam Veteran Chuck Mittman spoke with me about what this day really means.
…Whether you just fought in war or just defended our democracy, it made no difference. You’re honored. So I think veterans day for us, for those that are veterans is remembering the Brotherhood, which is one of the big things when you are put in a precarious place. Brotherhood means a lot, each person in your crew and your group is you all need each other. You all need each other. And every one of them put their lives on hold to defend democracy. And the people or the community, you don’t necessarily have to be a veteran, to help your country and help democracy, make sure you go out and vote. That’s one way. Help a nonprofit, serve your community. Anything that lives somebody out there no small deeds if they’re done with great love…
The United States has approximately 1.4 million active duty troops stationed in over 80 countries across the world. There are also around 16.5 million veterans in the United States, the majority of which are from the Vietnam War era. Alaska boasts the highest number of veterans per capita of any state, with over 300 living in the Haines area alone. As with every year, the Outpost 12 Women’s Auxiliary will provide a top quality dinner for all veterans in the community. Commander Mittman will also deliver a speech on the importance of the day, part of which he shared with me.
…Veterans Day isn’t just for veterans, it’s a day for all Americans. It’s a day to remember why you’re fighting, and a day for all of us to begin our journey of protecting our freedom and the freedom of many future generations. The true soldier fights not because they hate what is in front of them, but because they love what is behind them. And I would just hope that all of you will think and honor a veteran on that day. And let us walk till tomorrow still honoring them by living in the freedom they protect you. So God bless America.
