It’s cathartic that Veterans Day comes shortly after the presidential election. After months of contentious campaigns accompanied by vitriol that highlighted our nation’s divisions, Monday’s holiday is a reminder of what binds us together as Americans.

These links are strong. There are approximately 1.3 million Americans serving in the U.S. military and 16 million veterans, including more than 500,000 in Washington. They have served in peacetime and wartime, protecting our nation and its interests around the world. They are our neighbors, co-workers, friends and family, and we honor them every November 11.

This includes a variety of events this weekend in Clark County. Most notably, the Lough Legacy Veterans Day Parade will take place Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, was founded in the aftermath of World War I. The agreement concluding “the war to end war” – a now obsolete nickname – was signed on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. It left the United States as the world’s preeminent power and ushered in the American century.

As President Woodrow Wilson wrote on the occasion of the first celebration of this holiday, on the anniversary of the armistice: “Out of this victory came new possibilities for political freedom and economic concert . War has shown us the strength of great nations acting together to achieve noble goals, and the victory of arms portends lasting conquests that can be achieved in peace when nations act justly and in the promotion of the common interests of men.

Since then, Americans have served with distinction in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. And while it is possible to question the reasoning behind some of these conflicts and criticize the leaders behind them, it is essential to honor those who were sent into battle.

It is also essential to honor those who served in peacetime, providing the United States with the strength that helped avoid further wars.

While recognizing the diligence and sacrifice of those who served, we emphasize that appropriate recognition should not be limited to a single day. This includes attention to the challenges veterans face after leaving the service.

According to the 2023 point-in-time count conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, veterans make up an excessive percentage of the homeless population in the United States. And according to various studies, the suicide rate among veterans is significantly higher than in the general population. Providing health care services to veterans is part of our nation’s obligation to those who volunteer to serve.

As Dr. Sudip Bose wrote for HuffingtonPost.com in 2017: “What many people who haven’t served in the military don’t really understand is that once veterans stop to fight the enemy, they continue to fight against the injuries or illnesses suffered. on active duty – either physical or mental, or both. In many cases, their fight continues. »

This appears to contradict the pro-military rhetoric common among elected officials. Such rhetoric should be supported by legislative measures rather than empty promises.

Meanwhile, for the public, Veterans Day comes at an important time. We can thank those who have served, and we can recognize that the need for such gratitude is something that almost all Americans can agree on. After focusing on our disagreements, the opportunity is welcome.