Recently students and faculty members at LHS enjoyed what seemed to be like just another day off from school. Some may have spent the holiday sleeping in or catching up on recorded TV shows. Yet many people have forgotten the meaning behind that day off and why we celebrate Veterans Day altogether.
“At first, I think “Yay, Veterans Day, another day off,” but then I think about all the people who have served and are serving our country,” commented senior Casey Behling.
Historically, Veterans Day began after the end of World War I in 1919 after the signing of the Armistice or the Treaty of Versailles. It began as “Armisitice Day” but was later changed to “Veterans Day” during President Dwight Eisenhower’s term in 1954 to honor not just World War I veterans, but anyone who is or has served in the military.
School Resource Officer Robert Uliks was involved in the Marine Corp from 1984-1988 and was called back during the First Gulf War but not deployed to Iraq.
“It changed me and it definitely gives you an incredible appreciation for our country and freedoms,” said Uliks.
Officer Uliks’s life was definitely changed through his experiences in the military and he is extremely grateful for the men and women that are serving today.
“We have people out there that are risking their lives and fighting for our freedom,” said Uliks.
Mr. Michael Cook, a first-year science teacher at LHS, was also involved in the military. He was enlisted in the Marine Corps' Delayed Entry Program (DEP) in June 2000 and spent his first seven months of training in Quantico, Virginia. In May 2001, Cook was awarded the ROTC scholarship which allowed him to attend UW-Madison. Later on, Cook was commissioned at Camp Pendleton, California with Third Battalion, Fifth Marines.
Cook's experiences in the military helped him to realize how lucky we are to live in the country we sometimes take for granted.
“We have to remember to enjoy the luxuries that we have here in the U.S.,” said Mr. Cook.
For those who have not served in our military but know someone who has, whether it was a family member, neighbor or close friend, they tend to have similar views on the meaning of Veterans Day.
“My dad influenced me growing up talking about his experiences in the military. I now have a great respect for the military and appreciation for people because it’s not easy on the families,” said Dean Sean Ferrell.
Mr. Ferrell, the Dean in LST Q-Z, recently ran a marathon in honor of his dad, fundraising money for soldiers in combat.
“It definitely gave me an appreciation for people and a respect for the military,” said Ferrell.
Senior Michael Parker has had a very similar experience as Mr. Ferrell. His dad is involved in the Navy and because of this, he has moved across the globe and discovered new cultures and ways. But through his father's experiences, he has learned very important values and learned the effects of war through a very personal way.
"It means a lot to me personally because many people that I know have been sent to war and I have seen the effects of this on people's families and the sacrifices that are made to fight for our country," replied Parker.
But if there’s anything that all these men have taken away from their experiences it would have to be how lucky citizens of the United States are to have men and women that are willing to sacrifice their lives for us.
“It’s important to remember to never take anything for granted,” said Ferrell.
--------
*Correction: In the magazine version of this story in the November 14 issue, it listed Bob Uliks as a war veteran; this was incorrect.
photo by Jamie Stanley