Sinclair Community College will be closed on Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
Richard Morales, a Communication teacher at Sinclair Community College, and former Marine said that Veterans Day means a lot more to veterans than just a focus on them as individuals.
“Veterans Day is a celebration of anyone who has served honorably in the military in wartime or peacetime,” Morales said. “But the day is also about the sacrifices we made with our loved ones as well. Not only is the veteran affected but their family as well.”
Sacrifice is an underlying theme for all veterans, when you join the military you not only sacrifice your own time but also time with friends and loved ones, Morales said.
Nicholas Anderson, a Communication major and former member of the Army Reserve said it’s hard for citizens to truly understand what a veteran feels.
“I was in Iraq for about two years and it’s different when you come back home,” Anderson said. “It’s an adjustment for the soldier, their family and everyone involved. People have changed over that time and it’s not easy to just pick up life where it was before you were deployed.”
Some veterans are never able to pick their lives back up. According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, nearly one-fifth of the nation’s homeless population is veterans, while only eight percent of the population can claim veteran status.
Morales said that he believes a lot of people may focus on negative issues for Veterans Day. But he would also like them to look at the success stories that have come out of the military.
“A lot of the focus is on the negative aspect of serving in the military like deceased soldiers, and of course they need to be recognized for what they have sacrificed for our country,” Morales said. “There are a lot of successful people who have come from the military as well. They have helped change and shape so many people’s lives for the better. I would like for that to be recognized as well.”
Morales, who signed up for the Marines in the ‘70s, said that the view of the military and people who serve in it has improved a lot, but it’s not where it should be.
“A lot of times the military is viewed as taboo in the public,” Morales said. “But for whatever reason someone joins, it serves a purpose for that particular person.”
Some veterans believe that one of the best ways for citizens to raise public awareness is to pay attention to veterans.
“Honestly, if people want to hear the truth they should turn off cable news and talk to the soldiers who have actually served,” Anderson said. “There may not be a perfect way to celebrate the holiday but I would recommend talking to a veteran. Just thanking them and let them know that you respect what they have sacrificed in their lives so we can enjoy the many freedoms that we are accustomed to now.”