Support our veterans but not war

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared that Nov. 11 was the first celebration of Armistice Day. The inspiration for Armistice Day came from the Allied forces’ agreement with Germany to end military engagement in World War I. The celebration associated with Armistice Day was multi-faceted. People were happy that "the war to end all wars" was over, and wanted to honor the efforts of soldiers who fought in the battles. The holiday was accompanied by a sense of hope that no conflict should ever rise to that level of bloodshed and terror again.

But World War I did not end all wars, and after World War II, the word Armistice was exchanged with Veterans to honor soldiers from various wars. Since WWI and WWII, the United States has become involved in or started countless wars. Instead of the original hope for peace, Veterans Day has become a recognition of the seemingly permanent need to deploy troops to battle and the nationalistic pride that brings us into the wars to begin with. Veterans Day should not be a celebration of war, but instead a cautionary tale of the death and damage that come with war.

Honoring those who have served in combat, however, is a wonderful and necessary act. Although we cannot praise the circumstances that forced veterans to serve in brutal, violent fights, we must acknowledge their efforts and appreciate their service when they return. Veterans Day should serve as a reminder of the hardships veterans suffer, both when serving in combat and when they return home.

In the United States, 22 veterans commit suicide per day. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, young veterans make up a disproportionate share of the homeless population nationwide, although the number of homeless veterans dropped by seven percent in the past year. Around 20 percent of Iraqi war veterans suffer from PTSD. With job insecurity as well as physical and mental ailments, many veterans return to civilian life with huge disadvantages.

Beyond recognizing veterans one day a year, CNN offers practical steps for people to take to support veterans on a daily basis.These suggestions include avoiding making stereotypes about veterans, volunteering with veterans support programs and donating to organizations such as Give An Hour, which connects veterans to psychologists by phone free of charge. While we should not celebrate continuing war, Veterans Day can serve as a reminder that there is much that both government and citizens can do to support veterans’ reassimiliation to American society.