Let’s Show Our Veterans Some Respect

To the Editor:

Whereas the legislatures of 27 of our states have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

Veterans’ Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans’ Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans’ Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good

Not being a veteran myself, it is impossible for me to relate to or fully comprehend the level of sacrifice that our veterans gave to this great country we all live in. But, having lost a close relative in Iraq as the first Connecticut soldier to be killed in action during this war, I and my family have been affected in a very personal way by this issue, as have many other American families. I truly hope that the decisionmakers from the Board of Education will take a long and hard look at the above words the next time they find themselves in a debate over whether or not to close the schools out of respect for our veterans. 

Have we become so obsessed with counting the exact net amount of days our children attend school, that we have forsaken a much bigger picture? Are we not sending a very wrong and disrespectful message to the people who have sacrificed so much for their country by negating the value of this day? Given the choice of my children becoming ill educated and ignorant due to missing one extra day of school… as opposed to honoring the service of these fine Americans, I will choose the former. We’ve already kicked Columbus to the curb...let’s not openly disrespect those that are still with us as well as their families.

Robert Hoffman

9 Brandywine Lane, Sandy Hook                           November 9, 2009