On Veterans Day, Americans Across the Spectrum Honor Those Who Served
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Americans nationwide are honoring current and former U.S. servicemembers this Veterans Day.
For Context: Veterans Day is celebrated every Nov. 11, and it became a national holiday in 1938. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, there are about 19 million veterans age 18 and older in the U.S. In 2021, nearly 3.9 million veterans received disability compensation payments.
What the Columnists Said: Writers across the political spectrum recognized Veterans Day as an important time to honor veterans and recognize their struggles. One Washington Post writer focused on suicide prevention counseling for veterans and other mental health resources, and highlighted people working to "ensure that their voices are heard by people in a position to help." A former Green Beret writing for The Hill implored fellow veterans to "make the most of" life after the military since "many of our friends and fellow servicemembers weren’t lucky enough" to do so. A writer for The Daily Signal called on Americans to honor veterans "by exercising our rights and participating in the enrichment of our society."
Good News: Veteran homelessness dropped 11% since early 2020, the biggest drop in more than five years, and many chain restaurants are offering free meals for veterans on Friday
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
On Veterans Day, Reflect on Why America Is Worth Fighting ForA defining characteristic of our American republic is service and devotion. No group exemplifies these civic virtues better than America’s veterans.
On Friday, this Veterans Day, it’s more important than ever to remember the sacrifice our veterans made for this country.
Every Nov. 11, on what was once called Armistice Day, we celebrate Veterans Day. Just over a century ago, when World War I ended, Armistice Day was the hopeful and annual remembrance of those who had served in what was hoped would be “the War to End All Wars.”...
From the Center
To my fellow veterans: Our country needs you and your mission is not overAs our nation celebrates Veterans Day, my fellow veterans and I will no doubt hear multiple times “Thank you for your service” in brief conversations and in the form of a free cup of coffee or 20 percent off a meal. These well-meaning expressions of gratitude sometimes make us feel awkward and unsure of how to respond. “You’re welcome” seems too short, yet “Ah shucks, I was just doing what anyone would” seems a bit much.
Despite the slight twinge of self-consciousness, we are of course deeply grateful for the...
From the Left
These U.S. military veterans are still helping one another surviveThe day she took her life six years ago, her pockets stuffed with inspirational sayings on pieces of paper, combat veteran Deana Martorella Orellana went to a Veterans Affairs center and asked for help.
One year ago, on the day he stood before the Lincoln Memorial and shot himself in the head, Airman Kenneth Omar Santiago tried to get a counseling appointment on base.
And for months before he ripped off his helmet and ran into the massive rotors of a Seahawk helicopter to end his life, Brandon Caserta begged for mental health help....
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