Wednesday, November 11, 1998
A day to remember
Students, faculty and staff take time on Veteran’s Day to
commemorate those who have fought for our country
By H. Jayne Ahn
Daily Bruin Contributor
Alexander Hicks, who fought in the Army during World War II,
realized afterwards "how easy (he) got off at the war,"
signal-calling in England, North Africa and Italy.
"But I know a lot of people who had hell. Sure, I am very sorry
for them. It was just luck that I was put in as a signal caller,"
the aging veteran said.
Each year, on Nov. 11, most Americans observe a moment of
silence, remembering those who fought for peace.
"It’s a day of reflection and consciousness to remember the
veterans," said Bodie Olmos, a fourth-year theater arts
student.
In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in
Arlington National Cemetery, a place that has become a focal point
of reverence for America’s veterans.
Today, a combined color guard representing all military services
executes "Present Arms" at the Tomb of the Unknown. National
ceremonies for Veteran’s Day also include the laying of a
presidential wreath at the tomb as a symbol of the nation’s tribute
to its war dead.
In addition, people participate in local ceremonies and events
that are held to honor veterans and their service to the
country.
"This year, we expect around 800 people at our ceremony and
parade,"said Beverly Fitzgerald, the chief public affairs officer
at the Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare
System.
Fitzgerald also mentioned a number of celebrities and
dignitaries, including Mayor Richard Riordan and Secretary of the
Army Louis Caldera, who will attend the day’s events .
In 1918, at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, the First World War ended with
the signing of an armistice. American soldiers who survived the war
marched in parades through their hometown, and politicians gave
speeches and held ceremonies of thanks for the peace they had
won.
Twenty years later, Armistice Day became a national holiday,
remembering the sacrifices men and women made during the war to
ensure what the people thought would be a lasting peace.
Another world war broke out the following year, however, and
claimed the lives of more than 400,000 American soldiers.
To pay tribute to those who served in World War II, Armistice
Day was changed to Veteran’s Day, an occasion that today honors
those who have served America in all wars.
In the 1960s, Congress passed a law to change the national
commemoration of Veteran’s Day to the fourth Monday in October. But
when people realized the historic significance of the date Nov. 11,
the observance was returned to its original date in 1978.
Since the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War, the
activities of the holiday have had a different emphasis. Now there
are fewer military parades and ceremonies as veterans and their
families place gifts and stand a quiet vigil at the names of their
loved ones.
Today, some feel that the holiday is losing its meaning,
especially among the younger generations.
"When we were growing up, (the holiday) meant something because
you had close relatives who had served in the military and brought
that experience back and you knew what they went through. That was
always shared and repeated," Fitzgerald said.
"Now there is a generation gap between the aging population of
veterans and young people who don’t relate to the kind of
experience the veterans had," she added.
"I see some people my age who look at this day and think it’s
just an excuse to get out of school. Their world is so centralized
around having everything provided for them, and they don’t realize
all the work that went into making this country what it is," said
Amanda Beyne, a fifth-year English student.
But she also mentioned that having a number of war veterans in
her family is what brings it closer for her than it might be for
some other people.
"If I didn’t have somebody in my family who had gone through the
experience, I don’t know whether I’d feel the same way about it,"
she said.
Olmos said that although he still honors and respects the work
of the veterans, he too, sees the spirit of the national holiday
fading, especially among youth.
"My generation has been brought up on history of wars so much
that they don’t really want to hear about it. It’s almost like
putting it behind and moving on," he said.
Bill Bates, who served in the military for two years, said he
sees how the perception of Veterans Day is changing.
"I see it more commercialized these days. It’s a day for
barbecue. It’s a day off for many people," he said.
Nevertheless, visiting gravesites of veterans at state and
national cemeteries remains a common activity for grade school
students in observance of the day.
"We have a number of schools bringing their students and talking
to them about what it is to be a veteran, who those veterans were
that served for the country, and why they are in the VA hospital,"
Fitzgerald said.
"Students who go over to the cemetery and view the gravesites
and flags realize what a solemn experience it is," she added.
What students might not realize is that gravesites of the
veterans are part of the National Cemetery System (NCS).
The NCS dates back to the Civil War, when the War Department
recognized the need for preserving records of deceased soldiers and
their places of burial.
In 1862, Congress enacted legislation authorizing President
Abraham Lincoln to purchase "cemetery grounds" to be used as
national cemeteries for those who died in the service to the
country.
The NCS since then extended the burial rights to honorably
discharged veterans and spouses of the deceased soldiers.
Today, there are 115 national cemeteries in 39 states as well as
34 soldiers’ lots and monument sites. More than 2 million veterans
of every war  from the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf
War  are honored and commemorated at the VA national
cemeteries.
The Los Angeles National Cemetery, commonly known as the
"veterans cemetery" among students on campus, is one of six
national cemeteries in the state.
"Since we have the veteran cemetery here, it’s almost an
everyday reminder. Hopefully, remembering the past will help
prevent future wars and loss of lives," Olmos said.
On Veterans Day, an "Avenue of Flags," where interment flags are
donated by the next-of-kin of deceased veterans and placed along a
road within the cemetery, flies in memory of men and women "who
offered their lives in the service of our country," as one plaque
on the walls of the columbarium reads.
Additionally, the cemetery has interments of 14 Medal of Honor
recipients. The Medal of Honor is the highest military award
presented by the President in the name of Congress. These include
war heroes from the Civil War, Indian Wars, Korean Campaign, Boxer
Rebellion and World War II.
"With the aging population of veterans from World War II, our
next group of soldiers are from Vietnam and Korea," said Marianne
Davis, a public affairs officer at the VA medical center adjacent
to the cemetery.
"Neither of these wars were glamorous: they were pretty
horrific, traumatic experiences."
"(Commemorating them) is a way for all of our veterans to
receive the acknowledgement that they deserve, an opportunity for
them to finally hear a thank you," she added.GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily
Bruin
An American flag waves over the graves of honored soldiers in
commemoration of Veteran’s Day at the Los Angeles National
Cemetery.
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