Disappointed but not Surprised

[Jeepnik]

Growing up many businesses closed on Veterans Day. Those that remained open flew flags outside. The local government, and organizations like, Elks, Moose, Rotary and others would hang banners. Almost every home would have flags out front.

In my travels today, I didn't see a single closed business. The only ones that flew flags were the same ones that always do. No banners in sight. No flags on light standards. The only homes I saw with flags were, again, those that usually flew them.

The only time I've seen less acknowledgement or better stated outright hatred of our military was during Viet Nam. Oh, we had a surge of patriotism during the Gulf War. A lager one after 9-11 and again during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. But those all seem to have faded fairly quickly. Although post 9-11 lasted a bit longer it has been forgotten much quicker than the last time we were attacked, Pearl Harbor.

In all of my travels today, only one person acknowledge my status as a veteran, another vet. Heck, even the local naval museum ship, the USS Iowa, managed to turn it into nothing but a money making event. And they even went very cheap on entertainment with no usual formation fly by WWII warbirds. And other than that, there wasn't a single Veterans Day event in town.

 

[gunzo]

In my hometown here in the heart of KY. I saw many flags flown today & some institutions flying at half mast.

Business closures here pretty much ended when the mom n pops were gone. Corporate businesses stay open at all cost in case ya haven't noticed, nothing much is sacred with them.

 

[edm1]

My military friends said happy Veterans Day.

 

[Mobuck]

Same here Jeepnik. I had a chiro appt yesterday and found the only places that were closed were courthouse and Post Office.

 

[blume357]

Aren't the half mast flags for Dick Chainey?
I think the problem is they need to change the Vet holiday to a Monday like most of the others..... then the reality is there are already too many 'Monday' holidays.... pretty soon we will just have a standard 3 day weekend. Of course I already do and more often than not 9 months out of the year a 4 day one.

 

[eveled]

People confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day.

Every day is veterans appreciation day. November 11th is supposed to be Armistice Day.

 

[GasGuzzler]

TRUE ^^^

 

[gunzo]

Aren't the half mast flags for Dick Chainey?
I think the problem is they need to change the Vet holiday to a Monday like most of the others..... then the reality is there are already too many 'Monday' holidays.... pretty soon we will just have a standard 3 day weekend. Of course I already do and more often than not 9 months out of the year a 4 day one.

Thank you Blume, half mast didn't seem quite right for Vet day but never really gave it much more thought. Had forgotten about Mr. Chainey.

 

[kmoore]

Idaho has many places giving free services to Vets. Which is new to me. Oregon my home for my 1st 64 years of life, not so much.

 

[vito]

The hospice agency that I do volunteer work with held a ceremoney at a nearby nursing home, and I was there to assist the person running the event. This nursing home had about 15 veterans living there, so we tried to gather them in the activity room, play some patriotic music, gave them small gifts and a certificate honoring each of them, and some nice refreshments. But the nature of who lives in a nursing home meant that maybe two or three of these gentleman even understood what was happening around them. Other than my visit to this nursing home, the only recognition that I had of it being Veteran's Day was a few texts from some relatives who thanked me for my military service. Sadly, only one of my five adult children even thought to send me a text.

 

[contender]

Yesterday,, Sam, Danny & I went to a free lunch at Applebee's. Fulkl of Vets,, including a 102 year old WWII Vet.
Later,, Danny & I went to wally world for a few quick items. I saw very few veteran hats. The place was very busy though. And I did have (1) lady thank me for my service.
Same town,, different locations.

Yet,, luckily,, I also see a lot of local appreciation for vets in general. But we are still a "smaller" city or town than other places.

I think many people look at our military like they do a fire extinguisher; "Keep put behind glass, and break when needed!" In essence,, they knew we are here, and they only appreciate us when they NEED us.
But there is also enough folks who have either served, or have family who served,, and they do appreciate us.

Businesses,, well, some do, some don't.

 

[375hh1973]

No one acknowledged me either but then again I dont wear a "thank me for my service" hat.

 

[Yaworski]

Holidays aren't special anymore and haven't been for about fifty years. Just another day to shop.

 

[wproct]

Our nearest town is a population of around 16,000 people and Veterans day is pretty well recognized. We have Veteran's memorials and sculptures on the court house lawn. We have a large grocery store who prepares free meals for Veterans and the American Legion and VFW who conduct memorial services. As far as which stores should be closed, some need to be open, gas stations would be one of the first ones to come to mind. I have never understood why people would be disrespectful or show hostility to those who served. I understand not approving of a certain war, I have questioned or not been supportive of some myself, but to let that interfere with how you treat those who have served, I will never understand that.

 

[RoninPA]

We were travelling back from the Tulsa Gun Show and the Bob Evans we ate at gave me my breakfast for free. They had the restaurant all decorated for Veterans Day and several diners even said thank you to me (it was pretty early and not many there yet). Other places we stopped at (Buc-ees and Uranus Candy Co.) all recognized my status and thanked me as well as did some patrons in the stores.

 

[GasGuzzler]

I didn't even both er my own Dad (Vietnam Army) as my Mom is in the hospital and he's busy.

 

[DGW1949]

Here in Iuka Mississippi, we had our annual Veteran's Day parade and festival on Sat 11-08-25 so more people could attend than could on a Tuesday.

DGW

 

[jimbo1096]

Found my doctor was closed and another business that I intended to go visit. A free dinner was offered by several businesses and I got a coupon from Texas roadhouse. Most of my neighbors fly flags around my neighborhood . I don’t wear a hat, but I do wear a American flag pen on my collar and was thanked several times.

 

[neilin]

Thank you Blume, half mast didn't seem quite right for Vet day but never really gave it much more thought. Had forgotten about Mr. Chainey.

We can be thankful that we did not go hunting with him.

 

[TheTexasRAT]

We can be thankful that we did not go hunting with him.

Never, I say NEVER turn your back to a politition!

 

[stonebuster]

On the north end of our town green the flags of Valor are displayed every year for a couple weeks. Families of veterans can sponsor a flag in honor of a family vet. My wife and I bought two in honor of our fathers who fought in the South Pacific(my dad) and Europe(her dad). Both enlisted at 17 yrs old. Next year we need to buy one for her dad's brother who died fighting in Korea in 1950.

 

[blume357]

The problem in my opinion is we have too many holidays.

 

[Rum River]

My 10 year old grandson's elementary school had a very nice Veteran's Day program. The students and parents attending were respectful. The names of veterans present were called out to stand for recognition and applause. Of those few dozen there were a number that were active duty for around 20 years. Also a number still active. Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, school choirs singing - it was well done.

 

[Yaworski]

The problem in my opinion is we have too many holidays.

We used to have more that were celebrated by the masses. Only four big patriotic holidays now. Washington's Birthday (foolishly called "President's Day" by many), Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran's Day.

 

[vito]

Only one out of my five adult children even remembered, or bothered, to wish me a good Veteran's Day.