Rosy Glow – Veteran’s Day 2014

By

Andrew DeMarco

Veteran’s Day, originally known as Armistice Day, was meant as a celebration of the end of World War I the “War to end all Wars.” Unfortunately it did not turn out that way and now has become a celebration in honor of all those who have served our country. There is one thing that I have noticed and that is that the older I get the more I appreciate the sacrifice that all veterans have made. When I was younger it was another day off from school and the true meaning of this day was lost. Even while in college and the Viet Nam war was winding down, I had a lackadaisical attitude towards this day.

I guess my attitude towards Veteran’s Day began to change as my father and uncles, members of the greatest generation, began to get older and I really started to realize the sacrifices that these men made. I also began to listen to my older cousins and friends who served in Viet Nam and although most came back whole, they all seemed to have lost something as a result of their service.

Last year, at this time, while visiting the oldest vet in our family, Uncle Cappy, I wrote about an incident that occurred at the World War II memorial in Washington which moved my wife and I. This year while visiting with Uncle Cappy again, we had the opportunity to visit the new “American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.” This memorial is a bit off the beaten path as compared to the other war memorials in D.C. It is located south of the Capital and across the street from the rear of the Washington Botanical Gardens. It is a simple triangle made up of a granite wall with quotes by Presidents Washington and Eisenhower, a reflecting pool of a shooting star with an eternal flame and a wall of frosted glass etched with pictures and quotes from disabled vets and their families.

There were two quotes in particular which I feel are a good beginning for all of us to spread the word to the younger generation so they do not become older before they appreciate our veterans as I do now. The first is a quote by General Washington and makes up part of the granite side of the triangle:

 “Before I conclude the subject of public justice, I cannot omit to mention the obligations this country is under to that meritorious class of veteran, non-commissioned officers and privates who have been discharged for inability…Nothing could be more melancholy and distress sight than to behold those who have shed their blood or lost their limbs in the service of their country.”

The second quote is etched on the glass portion of the memorial and is obviously by one of the spouses of a disabled vet.

“I loved him for who he was in his heart and he still had that. And I loved him for what he had in his mind and he still had that.”

So what are our obligations to our disabled veterans as General Washington mentioned? To care for them in a dignified and efficient manner, to remember and honor them for their sacrifices, not just on Veteran’s Day but always in order to make sure, that younger generations learn earlier in life than I did. And the second quote speaks for itself. We have to remember it was that heart and mind that led these veterans to make the ultimate sacrifice which should never be forgotten no matter what their disabilities are.

Finally to all of my friends and family who have served this great nation let me wish you a very Happy Veteran’s Day! Please know that I appreciate all you have done for us and this great country of ours. That feeling of appreciation is that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that…..Rosy Glow.