As an Army, infantry veteran of the U.S. war against the people of Viet Nam I look at 11/11 with discerning eyes. Originally called Armistice Day, it marked the end of WWI and the beginning of world peace. The Congressional resolution read in part that this date is "designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations" and “friendly relations with all other peoples".
Now rebranded as Veterans Day, we will not hear about “mutual understanding” on 11/11. Instead, veterans will be used to promote the military model of conflict resolution by violence and the business of war. Over $600 million of our tax dollars are spent each year on the promotion of militarization. The results can be seen in our combat trained and equipped police, our schools being the most militarized in the nation, and our war zone streets. Martin Luther King said that the U.S. is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world. He understood that it is ludicrous to believe that the promotion and use of the military model against other people will not spill over to our own people.
Veterans Day is good for the weapons makers and the business of war. I will celebrate Armistice Day. Please join me.