Veterans Day can be confusing. It has been more than one kind of commemoration at various times, has overlapping themes now and honors several categories of American servicemen and women. If you have trouble keeping it straight, just remember the line, “All gave some; some gave all.”
Memorial Day honors those who gave all, who didn’t come home and in many cases died not knowing the outcomes of the conflicts that claimed their young lives. Veterans Day also belongs to them, but it belongs as well to the millions who gave some. It’s for everyone who heard the call and didn’t head the other way; for everyone who donned a uniform, trained and carried out a mission, in wartime or in one of our nation’s rare peaceful interludes.
What can you actually do with it?
Well, in the vicinity of Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base, this is seldom a one-day affair. That’s bad for those who missed last Saturday’s parade down Hay Street, and other events in Cumberland and Bladen counties. But it’s good because there’s a string of events that runs into next week, when the Crown Arena hosts the U.S. Army Field Band’s Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus.
Today’s schedule offers many possibilities, so look them over and join someone’s observance.
There’s an 11 a.m. ceremony and parade in Lillington, centered on Veterans Park near the Harnett County Courthouse. Retired Gen. Hugh Shelton will take part, and the Golden Knights will arrive in their customary spectacular fashion. Commemorations are also planned in Dunn, and in Hoke and Sampson counties.
Retired Col. Michael Jerome Johnson will appear at an observance at Fayetteville State University at noon, in Shaw Auditorium. A 24-hour POW/MIA vigil begins at 11 a.m. at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum.
The town of Fairmont is holding a Veterans Day ceremony at noon in its downtown Heritage Center, where Army reservists will hold a flag ceremony. (That’s not Robeson County’s only event. A Saturday afternoon schedule includes Cruisin’ Pembroke: An Evening Under the Stars – Celebrating & Honoring Our Veterans, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Pembroke Recreational Sports Complex, and recognition of veterans at 7 p.m.)
Broadway, in Lee County, will host an 11 a.m. observance today at the North Carolina Veterans Memorial on Main Street.
Beyond that, you might find direction in a congressional resolution adopted a few years after a war that failed to end all wars: “This date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.”
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