Veterans day is a federal holiday, celebrated each year on November 11th. This holiday is a way to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The six different branches of the military that are honored are Army, Navy, Airforce, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
Veterans Day is a powerful reminder each year of the brave men and women who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the safety of United States citizens. It’s a day for people to show gratitude and respect for those who serve.
Richard Kirkpatrick, who served three and a half years in the U.S Navy, describes his military experience, stating, “It was a whole different life, but I enjoyed it. It was fun being in the military, knowing that you had a job to do”.
Kirkpatrick describes how the military allowed him to travel around the world for training as well as active duty.
“Guantanamo Bay was a place we went to for 6 months for war training. And we were all through the Mediterranean, just about every country over there..France, Spain, Gibraltar, Greece. We were on a destroyer tender so we would usually stay at port for about two weeks at a time. ”
When asked about a core memory that he can recall from being in the forces, he said “ Oh there were a lot of them, I mean the Mediterranean was awesome, seeing all of those countries and doing all of those things. I was in electronics before we went into the Mediterranean. We volunteered to go to boat school, so I learned how to drive all of the boats in the navy. And then when I went to the Mediterranean, I drove liberty parties back and forth from where we were anchored out to the beach; that was really fun.”
Lastly, when asked why Veterans Day is important to him, Richard explained , “There are a lot of veterans that participate in more and suffer tremendously; they come home with problems that they have to live with. And I think we have to remember those people; they did it to save this country and make it so that we have our freedom. That’s the reason why Veterans Day is important to me, to remember the people who suffered more than I did and remember what they did for us.”
Diana Popova, who served in the army reserves for eight and a half years, tells her story of how the military changed her life. “Being in the military gave me a solid foundation and allowed for me to have a more structured lifestyle. I was born in Ukraine and could have very well still been there if it hadn’t been for my parents deciding to start a new life with me in the states. I [joined] as a way to show how grateful I was to be able to live in the US and have the opportunities that I couldn’t have had in another country. I also wanted to help others”
Popova also describes how the military caused her to grow as a person, stating, “Once I joined the army my leadership helped me develop discipline..and I was able to become a leader. I got to teach and guide my soldiers and help them to later on, become leaders as well.
Popova also describes the pride she had from being a woman in the army, articulating, “Being a woman in the army is something I’ll always take pride in. I was able to meet many other strong women in my years and have established lifelong friendships. I appreciate the military for helping me become the person I am today
When asked about one memory that she can recall whilst being in the forces, she said “ One core memory I have from being in the military was..from my last day in the military. Before leaving, I wanted to ensure that one of my soldiers had everything he needed before being promoted to sergeant. Once I handed over all of the things he needed, he thanked me for helping him become the soldier he was and for teaching him so much. He said it was an honor to serve with me and it truly touched my heart because the whole reason I joined was to be able to help others”.
Lastly, when asked why Veterans Day is important to her, Popova said, “ Veterans Day is important to me because it reminds people that what we have today in our everyday lives is because soldiers fought for it. Soldiers fight for their country and unfortunately, some are lost in that fight. Veterans Day is a day to honor the ones who served, are currently serving, the ones who never made it home, and those who are deployed. A day to honor all of the dedication and sacrifices that they had to make as well as their families”.
It is important to recognize Veterans Day each year for several reasons. It serves as an important reminder to honor and remember all of the sacrifices that were made for this country. It’s a day to reflect on the selflessness and courage it takes to be a veteran, acknowledging the hardships that they go through and the sacrifices both them and their families make. Doing this honors the values of service that help uphold this country.
