Veteran’s Day, established in 1938, is about honoring the heroes of our nation’s past, present and feature and it shouldn’t be confused with Memorial Day, which is about honoring those who died fighting for the country.
That’s according to Robert Sanders, a 49-year-old veteran from Dellslow, one of many veterans to participate in Morgantown’s Veteran’s Day Parade on Monday.
Sanders was marching with his fellow American Legion Post 174 members.
Participants included members of different generations of war, from World War II to Vietnam to the latest conflicts in the War on Terror.
Veteran’s Day is always held on Nov. 11, no matter which day of the week that happens to be. That’s because on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, of 1918, a ceasefire between the allies and Germany went into effect — essentially making the end of World War I, or “the war to end all wars.”
One things that does change though, is how veterans have been treated through the years.
“Can’t even compare the difference,” said Allen Miller, a retired Marine.
Miller, who served three tours in Iraq and spent 21 years in the service, said people have shown him and other veterans “overwhelming” support over the past 10 years.
That’s a stark contrast to the way the veterans of Vietnam were treated when they returned home.
“It means a whole lot different than it did about 30 years ago,” Don Baker, a Vietnam veteran, said of Veteran’s Day. “Today you walk down, everybody thanks you and everything. Back then they didn’t do anything than maybe call you names or something.”
Baker was drafted into the Army and served as an infantryman from 1968-1969.
He doesn’t know why people’s view on veterans have changed, but “it’s great.”
“Back then they thought we was baby killers,” Baker said.
The parade’s grand marshal, World War II veteran Edwin John, 91, said the treatment Vietnam veterans received was “terrible.” World War II veterans were treated well, he said.
John enlisted in the Marines at 17 years old with eight others from Morgantown. The nine of them were in the same unit at Parris Island, S.C., before being divided up among the divisions after boot camp.
Only he and Albert Lewis, who lives in California, remain, John said.
John was sent to radar school, where he learned to take the radars apart and repair them and was stationed state-side, he said.
Some people don’t just think of veterans on Veteran’s Day. For example, Miller, the leader of the parade’s color guard, said he always wants to associate with veterans.
“It’s in my blood,” Miller said. “I love veterans. I love the military. And I’ll always stay involved in it as long as I’m healthy enough to do it.”
