Last week, it was revealed that the United States would be sending approximately 50 Special Operations troops to the warn-torn country of Syria to “advise and assist” Kurdish and Arab fighters battling ISIS. Some say this number is too few; some argue it is too many. Yet one thing is clear: it is yet another place where the United States military will be actively involved in some form of operations overseas.
Wednesday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, a holiday set aside to thank all those who have served our nation in the military. In an age when we continue to make many demands on our military brethren, it is certainly fitting that everyone take the time to honor those who have served.
With each passing year, the surviving veterans of the “Greatest Generation” become a little thinner, and memories of their heroism fade a little deeper into history. However, without fail, a current generation of our armed forces rises to the challenge, answering the call to defend the United States in today’s conflicts. Serving in the military is a difficult, often thankless job. But Veterans Day is a day that we, as citizens, can and should thank them loudly and strongly.
Next Wednesday, Veterans Day will be celebrated with parades and observances in big cities and small towns across the United States. We will be honoring recent graduates of area high schools who have chosen to don the uniform. We will be honoring military personnel who have returned home and found positions in the private and public sector. We will be honoring those elderly veterans who are hoping to travel to Washington, D.C., on an upcoming Honor Flight, and those who may have served the nation without having ever been called into action overseas.
For many families, the ceremonies are extremely personal and often bittersweet. For all of us, it is a day to show our appreciation, and there are many local observances in which to participate.
On Wednesday morning, starting at 8:15 a.m., Wellington and the American Legion Chris Reyka Memorial Wellington Post 390 will be honoring current and former members of the armed forces at Wellington’s annual Veterans Day Parade & Ceremony. The activities start with a parade beginning at the Wellington Municipal Complex, followed by a ceremony at the Wellington Veterans Memorial.
On Wednesday evening, the Village of Royal Palm Beach will host its Veterans Day Observance at 6 p.m. at Veterans Park Amphitheater on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. The candlelight service will include a flag-raising ceremony followed by a motivational presentation.
Also taking place Wednesday evening is the Wellington High School Wind Ensemble’s “Salute to Freedom” concert in the Wellington High School theater. A dessert reception will be held after the 7 p.m. concert. Admission is free, but donations will be collected for Forgotten Soldiers Outreach.
There will sadly come a day not so long from now when we will read a story marking the death of the last World War II veteran. A person of military age the day of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor (and the United States’ entry into WWII) is now more than 90 years old. Statistics show that our WWII veterans are dying at a rate of nearly 500 a day. This means there are only approximately 855,000 veterans remaining of the 16 million who served our nation during that massive conflict. That includes less than 80,000 in Florida.
Time, indeed, passes quickly. On Wednesday, Nov. 11, let us show our gratitude and respect for their service, and the service of all those who have followed.
