Members of the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard fire a rifle volley during the annual Veterans Day program in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Nov. 11, 2019.
The reverence will remain, but some of the usual features of Bartholomew County’s annual Veterans Day program are no longer being included.
Due to environmental concerns, balloon releases for each veteran who has died over the past year no longer takes place. And the reading of names of veterans who have died over the past year is now being done in May as part of the community’s Memorial Day observance.
These changes made by the Bartholomew County Veterans Service Planning Committee were made to assist the public in understanding the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day, committee members said.
Falling on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the military. In contrast, Veterans Day (always observed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month) recognizes all who have served in the Armed Forces – living and dead.
Nov. 11 has gradually changed to place more of an emphasis on showing appreciation to the veterans who are still living. In Indiana, that’s about 550,000 Hoosiers – or roughly 8% of the state’s entire population.
On Veterans Day, some restaurants offer free or discounted meals to veterans, and other agencies offer free admission to veterans to various attractions.
Thursday’s 11 a.m. ceremony at the Bartholomew County Courthouse will feature traditional and solemn moments such as prayers, music, the placement of a memorial wreath and the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard, according to planning committee member and master of ceremonies John Foster.
“My best guess is that it will probably be 40 minutes long at the most,” Foster said. “But that 40 minutes is pretty important for honoring veterans.”
The main speaker will be Sgt. Maj. Rick Caldwell of the American Veterans (AMVETS) organization, who recently gained national recognition as one of the recipients of the organization’s Silver Helmet Awards.
Caldwell says he intends to express his thoughts and feelings on the Oath of Enlistment that every member of the military must take before being placed on active duty.
The expiration date of that oath is frequently disputed by veterans. While the oath to defend the U.S. Constitution and obey superior officers technically expires upon discharge, several former military personnel say they feel that, as a personal choice, it’s an oath to be upheld for life.
Caldwell says he also intends to address the struggles many veterans face while readjusting to civilian life, as how the public can assist the families of struggling veterans during the upcoming holiday season.
But whether it’s Memorial Day or Veteran’s Day, many event organizers says it’s not what is said during a speech that is most important. It’s the individual but powerful memories, silent but painful remembrances and deep emotions triggered during the commemoration that reflects the true purpose of both events.
“Since I’ve retired and gotten involved with the Bartholomew County Veteran’s Honor Guard, when we snap to attention and fire the rounds before Taps is played, it’s rare not to see a handful of wet eyes,” Foster said. “I still get chills with the firing of rounds and the playing of Taps. It should be an emotional experience.”
