fromtheeditor
Paying Respect
Veterans Day celebrations give Americans across the country
a chance to honor all servicemembers who have fought —
or currently are fi ghting — for our nation’s freedom.
M
any U.S. holidays focus To round out our coverage,
on servicemembers and we look at a problem younger
the country’s military her- veterans face. “Unemploy-
itage. Independence Day, ment among veterans is high-
for example, recognizes er than in civilian populations.
our nation’s victory in its fi ght for freedom This is a fairly large crisis, and
and independence. Our young country’s it’s not a new phenomenon,”
citizen soldiers and fl edgling land and sea says former Army Capt. Tom
armed forces won that battle. Tarantino, a policy associate
Memorial Day and Veterans Day are for the Iraq and Afghanistan
two other, military-focused holidays. Veterans of America.
Both are about paying respect to those The Department of Labor
who fought for freedom’s cause. But and the VA report rates of
while Memorial Day honors Americans unemployment for active duty
who died in wartime, Veterans Day hon- veterans after Sept. 11, 2001,
ors all who have served, including those have been higher than in the
who are living. civilian sector in recent years,
For this Veterans Day issue of Military with the steepest rates for
Offi cer, we thought it would be fun to veterans ages 22 to 24. The country’s poor
look at the roots of Veterans Day and then economy makes the transition from the mil-
conduct a quick survey of how Americans itary to civilian world even more diffi cult
celebrate the holiday across the country. than usual. Guardmembers and reservists,
As in every survey story, we might have too, are struggling. Their jobs are protected
missed your favorite, iconic Veterans Day by the Uniformed Services Employment
celebration. But our intent simply is to and Reemployment Rights Act while they
sample the diversity of holiday activities. serve, but because of the economic down-
Looking at the origin of Veterans Day, turn, many are returning to fi nd their posi-
we know for a fact it is celebrated on the tions phased out — in which case their jobs
same day as the former Armistice Day, might no longer be protected.
which recognized the end of World War No matter how we celebrate this Veter-
II. But did you know that two American ans Day, we’ll all pause to remember those
cities vie for the title of birthplace of who have fought for our country.
Veterans Day? Both Birmingham, Ala.,
and Emporia, Kan., claim to have started
Veterans Day. Which is the legitimate
title holder? Read our story “For All Who
Served,” page 50, to see the offi cial ruling. — Col. Warren S. Lacy, USA-Ret.
10 MILITARY OFFICER NOVEMBER 2009 PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
NNov_editors.indd 10ov_editors.indd 10 110/5/09 10:49 AM0/5/09 10:49 AM
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