Monday, November 11, 1996
HOLIDAY:
National holiday remembers brave soldiers that defended our
country’s interestsBy Toni Dimayuga
Daily Bruin Contributor
Every year for the past 25 years, Robert Jordan makes a
pilgrimage to the National Cemetery in Arlington for Veterans
Day.
He is one of California’s three million men and women being
honored today for serving their country in times of peace and
war.
Veterans Day was first observed on Nov. 11, 1919 as a
celebration of the end of World War I and to honor all veterans,
said Sadie Stewart, volunteer service specialist coordinator of
Veterans Day activities at the West Los Angeles Veterans’
Administration (VA) Medical Center.
The holiday received its official name, Armistice Day, through a
constitutional resolution in 1926 and became a national holiday 12
years later. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill that
changed the name to Veterans Day.
Since then, different activities have been held to commemorate
this occasion, Stewart said, including special church services,
flag-raising ceremonies, and soldiers marching in parades. In the
past, it was also customary to observe two minutes of silence for
the dead.
For surviving veterans, this holiday inspires a flood of
memories  some wistful, some painful  of their tenure
in the military.
Gayle Ocheltree, who served in the Army from 1974 to 1979 in the
82nd Airborne Division, has the distinction of being the 250th
female to graduate from the Army’s jump school.
Ocheltree was one of seven women in the class, compared to 380
men.
"They’d make fun of us, but I think it made us try harder," she
said.
When it came down to the actual jumping, Ocheltree recalls that
the women seemed more prepared than the men to make the jump, while
the men were still "barfing in the back."
Ocheltree was a Buck Sergeant when she retired from the Army
after injuring her knees during jump school.
After graduating from college, Sharon Acree, like countless
other students, was unsure of what to do next. The death of her
grandparents, who had been her only means of financial support,
compounded her problem.
"If I had to be out here on my own, I had to make a decision on
a career," she said.
Acree enlisted in the Army in 1974 to gain experience and
independence as well as to take advantage of its educational
benefits.
"I checked into this Army thing and thought ‘well, that may not
be too bad,’" Acree said.
Acree served in the Medical Corps with a rank of Specialist Four
for three years. An accident which resulted in the amputation of
one of her thumbs brought on early retirement.
Jordan, who served in the Army for eight years, went to Vietnam
in 1965 as part of the 16th Infantry Ranger Battalion of the First
Infantry Division.
His service also ended prematurely after he was shot several
times during combat, leaving him physically disabled.
"I had intended to make (the military) my career but a Vietcong
shortened it," Jordan said.
Despite the difficult times they have been through, these
veterans emphasized that they would not trade their experiences for
anything.
"It makes me feel proud of what our country stands for," Jordan
said. "I don’t regret what I did.
Now 20 years later, Acree said the holiday provides a chance to
focus on the hardships that veterans have shared together.
"It means that we’re honoring all veterans who have served in
our military forces. It’s a day we have to remember all efforts
each of us have endured," Acree said.
Although certain aspects of the military  like basic
training  were mentally, physically and emotionally
demanding, Acree said the camaraderie that developed made it
worthwhile.
"It’s part of how the military functions … you learned how to
be a team," Acree said.
"I think of all those brothers and sisters of mine that had the
same experience are willing and able and always ready to defend the
country and the principles for which it stands," she added. "I
wouldn’t mind going through it once more."
For Jordan, Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the men and
women who put their country ahead of their own lives.
"It means sacrifice and a time to pause and remember veterans
who served their country  those who died on the battlefield
and those today (who are still serving)," Jordan said.
Ocheltree explained that for her, Veterans Day does not focus on
war.
"It’s something that specifically honors peace rather than war,"
she said.
This year, the VA will be holding a two-day event in recognition
of this holiday, Stewart said.
Today’s activities include a program tribute featuring two guest
speaker actors who are veterans, a flyover by the Air Force Condor
Squadron and a United Service Organizations (USO) show. Tuesday
concludes the celebration with additional activities and a closing
ceremony.
As for Jordan, who has dedicated his life and career to other
disabled veteran soldiers, Veterans Day is a more somber
occasion.
"I saw a lot of my friends die. Every once in a while, it comes
back to me," Jordan said. "Usually, I kind of block out (the bad
times). But there were some good times, too."