ESSAYS
CRYM Red Ribbon Week - Short essays written by our Young Marines
Veterans Day: A Celebration of Different Standards
~By YM SSgt KC Rosencrans (October, 2005)
Veteran’s Day is not just another day off from school. It doesn’t represent war, and it doesn’t represent peace. It represents sacrifice and the high price of freedom that America enjoys today. Everyone celebrates it in his or her own way, whether it’s attending a service or sparing a moment of silence. The Columbia River Young Marines take it upon themselves every year to make sure that the Veterans of the United States in our community know they are appreciated. The Veterans Day parade is an opportunity for the Columbia River Young Marines to show their honor and respect to those who served our nation in the Armed Forces throughout history. It is also a reminder to the general public that if it weren’t for the Veterans of this country nobody would have the freedoms they do today.
The Young Marines arrive on the cold November morning with one mission in mind and that is to let the Veterans know that they are appreciated and that this country will stay in good hands. When a Veteran sees a young man or woman marching down Main Street dressed in a camouflage uniform, holding their head up high, with their chest stuck out, they feel pride in the country for which they served. They know that those kids are taking this country in the right direction.
The Young Marines don’t think of the Veterans Day parade as just another parade, but more of a service. It is a public service for the thousands upon thousands of people that have died in wars past. They march with pride, knowing the commitment they have taken for wearing the uniform they do. They march with heads held high, to see be seen by the many faces along the streets staring into the future. They also march with heavy hearts, knowing that many of the country’s greatest heroes have been lost due to conflict.
At the end of the road, when the parade is over, the many handshakes, thanks and teary eyes of Veteran’s makes marching in the thirty-degree weather worthwhile.
Although the Parade is a public display of appreciation, the Young Marines take it one step further by offering the CRYM Annual Veteran’s Day Spaghetti Dinner, for all Veterans and their families. The event is held at the Knight’s of Columbus Building in West Richland and is offered to any Veteran of the Armed Forces. The night is kicked off by Young Marines serving spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread to all Veterans. It is then accompanied by a candle light vigil and patriotic song. For the remainder of the night, there are small side conversations between Veterans, and Young Marines. But the best ones are when there’s a small school circle of Young Marines surrounding a Veteran as he shares his stories of brotherhood and they many journeys he or she had to take. To see the eyes of a Veteran sparkle as he tells his story, then to see the same sparkle in the eyes of a Young Marine while they’re listening could warm even the coldest of hearts. As the fun filled night comes to an end the Young Marines realize that not every Veteran will be returning the following year. But no matter if one or one hundred Veterans attend, watching the elders leave with smiles, full stomachs, and pride is worth spending the time and doing the dishes.
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Updated: June 2007