Ripon College Days

This Friday brings once again one of the often forgotten American holidays: Veterans Day. The day designed for Americans to reflect upon the notion we call "service" and honor the men and women who have served our nation in the armed forces. Yet, most often we as Americans, and perhaps more particularly as the college-aged crowd, fail to acknowledge this day, maybe even forget it altogether.

However, it's time we take note of the reflection Veterans Day should provoke and take a few moments of our precious time to remember the sailors, soldiers and marines who have served and sometimes paid with their life all in defending the rights and liberties we as Americans hold dear.

Here at College Days we are proud of the ability of the overwhelming majority of Americans to differentiate between supporting wars and supporting our troops. It's a concept we've seen dominate public opinion concerning the War in Iraq. Gone are the stories and images of veterans returning home to open and harsh criticism from the very people they have just spent months trying to protect. Now even the harshest critics of the war shout in outrage at the lack of money and equipment the government provides our soldiers. But while we've emphasized supporting our current servicemen and women, we must also recognize the role our veterans played in the nation's history.

Service to one's country is demanding, and this fact is worthy of recognition. Servicemen and women interrupt their own personal lives and ambitions for short and long periods of time all in the name of ensuring the homeland is safe and secure. For months on end they are separated from loved ones, lack the basic standards of living that are too easy for us to take for granted and often live day-to-day unsure of where they'll be in 24 hours, or perhaps if they'll even be alive.

In your attempts to remember men and women in uniform this week, we urge you to keep in mind the soldiers of our current war as well as those of the past. We're not calling for elaborate pro-Veteran programming, but we call on all members of the Ripon College community to at the very least spend a few moments considering what it means to be a veteran and honoring the countless individuals who have served us all. More tangible means to uphold the idea of Veterans Day include attending Veterans Day community celebrations. Community Service Coalition is also spearheading an effort to affect current service members. Starting yesterday and continuing today, the organization is hosting a card-making activity in he commons during lunch and dinner. Here students can offer words of thanks to current soldiers and create a card, that will be sent to a service member currently overseas.

There are many ways of remembering America's Veterans this week, and while we've offered a few suggestions, ultimately the method for being cognizant of the role of American service members is up to personal discretion. But, please don't let Friday be another American holiday we completely disregard as we go about our daily routine.

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