By any name, tomorrow is a day to remember

By any name, tomorrow is a day to remember

On that first Armistice Day 90 years ago tomorrow, there were those who still referred to what they had endured as the War to End All Wars. But within less than a generation, it was clear that such a title wouldn’t do. Even the World War became obsolete as a title because there was a second World War in progress. And so, a few years after World War II ended, Armistice Day in the United States was given a new name, Veterans Day.

Tuesday is a particularly poignant Veterans Day.

For one thing, we are honoring an ever-growing rank of veterans, as American men and women serve their nation in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But while we are creating new veterans — certainly not a thing the nation wants to do — our greatest body of veterans, those who served in World War II is dwindling. The young men and women who served in the 1940s are now octogenarians. Not a day goes by that one or more does not appear on the obituary page.

And then there is the fact that there is today only one remaining U.S. veteran of World War I, one man to whom Armistice Day still applies.

He is Frank W. Buckles, a 107-year-old retired farmer who lives in Charles Town, W. Va. He was 16 years old when the Army dispatched him to France in 1918, where he drove ambulances.

While not in the service during World War II, Buckles’ life was once again disrupted. As a civilian working for an American shipping company in the Philippines, he was captured by the Japanese. He spent three years in a prison camp.

It takes a commitment

On Veterans Day, we honor all veterans of all our wars. There are parades and observances in communities throughout the nation. But it is particularly important to remember that in addition to Frank Buckles, there are more than 23 million other living veterans.

Those surviving World War II veterans require our nation’s support and assurance of adequate medical care. Likewise those of the Korean and Vietnam wars, who are aging faster than many would care to admit, have needs that must be met.

Those who fought to protect freedom and democracy deserve no less than the best a grateful nation can give.

And those who are fighting today should be assured that this nation recognizes their sacrifice and is committed to provide support for the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the best medical care for those who have been injured, and educational and employment opportunities for those who have completed their service and are making the transition to civilian life.

Homeowners, fly your flag tomorrow. Teachers, talk with your students about why those flags are flying. Children, listen and learn. If your community is having an observance, attend. Take a few moments to think about what you can do tomorrow to show a veteran whom you know that you appreciate their service.

That’s the least a nation can do for Frank Buckles and all his comrades in arms.