Veteran's Day
I know I owe a blog post about about personal blogs, but I want to digress a moment and talk about Veteran's Day.
In 2004, I went to France as part of the ceremony to honor the 60th anniversary of D-Day. It really was a humbling experience and one of the coolest things I got to do in the military. I met and interviewed a lot of the men who stormed those beaches 60 years before. Talking to them - I don't know how to say it - it really was something that kind of put everyday problems into perspective.
Anyway, on June 5, the day before the official ceremony, I met a British sailor who actually wound up having to storm the beach twice. He explained why but I don't remember the reason. I do remember him talking about all the friends he lost - many of whom died while he was watching. When our conversation was ending, I walked away awkwardly and - not knowing what to say - said, "I hope you enjoy tomorrow, sir."
He looked back quickly and said in a very flat voice, "I can assure you, son, that I will not."
I had no idea how to respond, and it made me feel terrible. What I said wasn't what I meant, but I guess I never really thought it through. It's like how we ask the guy at the cash register how he's doing all the time, when really we don't care. We're just offering a greeting.
Well, I think that happens a lot on the 11th day of the 11th month of every year. It often happens when people come into contact with veterans. There's a woman named Joan Gaudet who stays at the Bangor, Maine airport to greet returning troops and say farewell to deploying ones at all hours. She put it best: "I mean, what can you say, they are going to war. 'Stay safe' just doesn't cut it."
Veteran's Day (or Armistice Day or Remembrance Day) is a special day. It's not a holiday. It's celebrated in many of the countries involved in World War I because the major fighting stopped on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
It's not the kind of day to say "Happy" whatever, and I'm not saying that out of spite for all the people who have wished me a happy Veteran's Day today. I think a lot of veterans appreciate that people remember and find the intended meaning in improperly used words.
So what is right to say? Thank you? Give him/her a hug? I don't really know. One of my friends wished me a "Happy Thanks-for-having-the-balls-to-fight-for-America-because-I-don't Day," which made me smile. But sometimes words can't properly describe feelings.
If I could have that conversation in Normandy over again, I would just pat that sailor on the shoulder and wish him the best. In five years I still haven't figured out what kind of words could have expressed my respect for him.
And maybe I never will.
In 2004, I went to France as part of the ceremony to honor the 60th anniversary of D-Day. It really was a humbling experience and one of the coolest things I got to do in the military. I met and interviewed a lot of the men who stormed those beaches 60 years before. Talking to them - I don't know how to say it - it really was something that kind of put everyday problems into perspective.
Anyway, on June 5, the day before the official ceremony, I met a British sailor who actually wound up having to storm the beach twice. He explained why but I don't remember the reason. I do remember him talking about all the friends he lost - many of whom died while he was watching. When our conversation was ending, I walked away awkwardly and - not knowing what to say - said, "I hope you enjoy tomorrow, sir."
He looked back quickly and said in a very flat voice, "I can assure you, son, that I will not."
I had no idea how to respond, and it made me feel terrible. What I said wasn't what I meant, but I guess I never really thought it through. It's like how we ask the guy at the cash register how he's doing all the time, when really we don't care. We're just offering a greeting.
Well, I think that happens a lot on the 11th day of the 11th month of every year. It often happens when people come into contact with veterans. There's a woman named Joan Gaudet who stays at the Bangor, Maine airport to greet returning troops and say farewell to deploying ones at all hours. She put it best: "I mean, what can you say, they are going to war. 'Stay safe' just doesn't cut it."
Veteran's Day (or Armistice Day or Remembrance Day) is a special day. It's not a holiday. It's celebrated in many of the countries involved in World War I because the major fighting stopped on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
It's not the kind of day to say "Happy" whatever, and I'm not saying that out of spite for all the people who have wished me a happy Veteran's Day today. I think a lot of veterans appreciate that people remember and find the intended meaning in improperly used words.
So what is right to say? Thank you? Give him/her a hug? I don't really know. One of my friends wished me a "Happy Thanks-for-having-the-balls-to-fight-for-America-because-I-don't Day," which made me smile. But sometimes words can't properly describe feelings.
If I could have that conversation in Normandy over again, I would just pat that sailor on the shoulder and wish him the best. In five years I still haven't figured out what kind of words could have expressed my respect for him.
And maybe I never will.
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