On November 11, 1918, an armistice was signed, officially ending World War I. 20 years after the war to end all wars, Armistice Day became a federal holiday, and now, 87 years later after World War II and the Korean War, Veterans Day is celebrated in the United States to acknowledge veterans and their willingness to sacrifice for their country.
“It’s a great sacrifice to [serve in the military],” Air Force veteran, counselor Ryan Kiefer said. “Whether it’s for a short time—four years—or a long time—until retirement—the people who do serve literally do volunteer and sign up to put their life on the line for our country and I think it’s a nice way to kind of acknowledge that.”
After enlisting immediately after graduating high school, Kiefer served as a weather specialist in the Air Force for six years, gaining the opportunity to travel around the world from Korea to Saudi Arabia.
“I went in right after I graduated high school [and] spent six years in the Air Force,” Kiefer said. “It was great. I got to travel the world, and you know, you kind of do what I suppose you’d imagine you do. There are all types of rules and regulations and you do have a significant role in national defense, but it was a good time.”
Being a veteran runs in the family for both Kiefer and AP Language teacher and Marine Corps veteran David Volkmar.
“Veterans Day actually has a lot of significance for me because I have so many family members that served,” Volkmar said. “My adoptive father served during the Korean War. My biological father did two tours in Vietnam. My brother was a Green Beret in both Kosovo and Iraq and Afghanistan, and of course I was in the Marine Corps for the better part of 20 years.”
Having multiple veterans as teachers, it’s important for students such as junior Nishika Chitturu to recognize and show appreciation for the veterans on campus.
“Veterans Day is important because it honors all members of the armed forces,” Chitturu said. “It allows us to celebrate the people who risk their lives and to show our gratitude for their sacrifices. I plan to show my support for veterans on campus by making cards and passing them out on Veterans Day.”
For Kiefer, growing up in a family of veterans, enlisting in some branch of the military was always the plan. Despite this, it’s important that students looking to enlist keep an open mind, according to Kiefer.
“My advice would be, if you’re interested in the military, my suggestion would be to talk to all the recruiters,” Kiefer said. “Because you don’t really know what each branch offers until you talk to them. And you may wind up going with your original idea anyway, and that’s great, but I think you should talk to all branches of the military to see if there’s something like ‘hey I never thought about this’ or ‘hey this is something that might fit me better than I was originally thinking.’”
Remembrance and appreciation for veterans’ sacrifices is at the core of Veterans Day’s significance for Volkmar.
“It’s important to remember those who have served because they have literally placed themselves between our values and anyone who would attempt to change them,” Volkmar said. “So it’s important that we remember their sacrifices.”
