The number eleven became significant in 1914, on the 11th day of the 11th month, at the 11th hour, when the fighting between the Allied nations and Germany in WWI ended. Ever since then, we’ve celebrated Armistice Day, which turned into Veterans Day. A day to remember all of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Most Americans celebrate Veterans Day through parades and ceremonies, but some veterans celebrate differently.
“Some like the solitary side, some like to get together. I’m more of a solitary person when it comes to that. In reflection, I went to a lot of cemeteries when I was overseas, I think about my grandparents, my grandpa was in the military, Grandpa Strode, for me, it’s about that, I enjoyed sometimes make into some of the scenings, you, the parade, as a teacher, it’s kind of hard to take off a lot of times on Veterans day,” Steven Drozd, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps said.
While some veterans like to be alone, those who love to go out and celebrate might have some devious stories to tell anyone who will listen.
“I would ask them about their buddies, ask them about their friends that they made, and some of the crazy stuff that they did, because in the military, you do a lot of a lot of stupid stuff, to be completely honest. But I think a lot with us, it comes down to camaraderie and your buddies,” Levi Montgomery, a veteran of the Army, said.
Celebrating Veterans Day is different for veterans, but in the end, they are all just normal people who wanted to do our country a great service.
“I think I’ve probably got a little different thought process on it than a lot of people. I think Veterans Day, although it’s nice, in a lot of ways, people make more of what a veteran is than what the reality is. And you know, I tell people the reality is that veterans are just regular people like everybody else,” Montgomery said.
For veterans, their stories and lessons go along with them after they are done serving and throughout life.
“For me, I guess you’d say, just go with the honor, encouragement, and commitment. That was our motto back then, it’s still kind of the break’s motto, and my motto in life’s always been that way is make sure I keep my honor. When I commit, I follow through. A lot of times for commitment to go through, you’re gonna have to have that courage to step up and get it done,” Drozd said.
If you happen to see a veteran, make sure to go and thank them for their service and maybe ask for a story or two.
