|
Every year I
write an editorial comment about Veterans Day. If you would rather not
read this, feel free to delete it.
Monday is Veterans Day.
Through the past year I have learned a lot:
Colorado State University neither celebrates nor recognizes Veterans Day.
Offices are open, classes are in session; there is not a flag ceremony or
moment of silence at 11:00 AM. In light of this, I have always wondered
why Colorado State University leads this community in the celebration of
Martin Luther King Day when University offices are closed, and classes are
not in session. I've learned that, according to the University
administration, "others" take the lead in the day that honors the men and
women who have bravely served our nation, and there is no need for this
state institution to participate in those events. I've learned that
to some, the contributions and sacrifices of countless veterans are less
valuable than the public life of one.
I've learned that in this community if you stand on a particular street
corner at noon on Saturdays, one where the signs read "No War in Iraq",
"Conserve Oil", and "What Would Jesus Do?", you are a peace advocate.
However, if you stand on the opposite corner with signs that declare
"Freedom Isn't Free", "If You Love Your Freedom Thank a Vet", and "Support
Our Troops", you are a government-supporting warmonger. I've learned that
those who choose not to support one point of view negatively label others
based on their biased interpretation of what is expressed.
I've learned that if you work in an office where young and
impressionable people come to learn, your right to plaster the halls
with "Please Take One" envelopes filled with anti-government literature,
to post inflammatory and slanderous posters, and to distribute peace
activists' web sites is protected by our Freedom of Speech. But I've also
learned that if your office is in a building where these same young people
live, it is unacceptable to post the Bill of Rights and the American flag
on your office door, because that might offend someone. I've learned that
the right to exercise our Freedom of Speech may depend on the political
views of someone who has power over us.
A University instructor I know asked her class of freshmen what they
wanted to do this year on 9/11. The class responded that they wanted to
treat it like "any other day". I learned that rather than educating this
group of immature, self-centered teenagers about the impact of this day on
our world, on our everyday lives, and on their very future, it was
acceptable to let the class choose to ignore this significant anniversary.
I've learned that the importance of history can be ignored to accommodate
the self-absorbed.
It's too bad I don't have the means to turn the tables and to teach the
other side of the lessons I've learned this year. I'd like some people to
learn that it is because of the dedication of all veterans, not of any one
person, that every person has the right to express her or his point of
view. I wish I had the opportunity to teach that those who choose to
express their opinions should neither be judged nor labeled when that
point of view differs from our own. Veterans have always defended our
rights to speak out in disagreement and to express ourselves as
independent individuals. Some people need to learn that our Freedom of
Speech, which continues to be defended by our veterans every
day, does not include the right not to offend. In fact, sometimes
offending is necessary to bring about new knowledge and understanding.
Still others need to learn that everyone has equal rights, and that
exercising those rights must never depend on agreeing with the politics of
someone in authority. And I'd like the opportunity to teach that history
is fact, not fiction; it is to be remembered as life's hard lessons, not
altered to avoid the unpleasant. Throughout history veterans, men and
women, have fought and died to defend and to preserve our human and
constitutional rights and privileges. That fact must never be ignored or
forgotten.
On this Veteran's Day pause for just a moment to realize all that you have
learned from the veterans you know. Think about all that you have learned
as a result of the work, dedication, and sacrifices of veterans throughout
our nation's history. Thank a veteran for all that he or she has given
you, for all of the rights and privileges you continue to enjoy because of
the veterans' commitment to defending your way of life. Let our veterans
know that you have learned the importance of their contributions to your
life and to your family. Thank a veteran for your freedom.
Thank you, Darling. Thanks to each of you who have served. I appreciate
you more than you will ever know.
Linda Stoddard
|