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I got the day off from work today. Not because I am a Veteran of the Navy, but because the Easton Area School District caved into complaints that it wasn’t “honoring” veterans.

As a veteran, and one who served for 5 years without having anyone shoot at me in anger (I don’t count the father of the daughter I met in a bar on Guam), I’m of the opinion that thanking veterans by giving children a day off from school doesn’t do much toward really thanking veterans.

That may go against the most vocal proponents of the “day off” demand, but the fact is that the youth enjoying the day off today aren’t thinking about sacrifices veterans made in serving their country. They are at the mall, or playing the latest release of a Medal of Honor computer game.

The truth be told, I’m always embarrassed when the subject of the military comes up in conversation and I’m asked if I served. Then thanked for doing so.

My service pales in comparison to those that served in true harms way, were wounded either physically or mentally, became POW’s, or gave the ultimate sacrifice.

I volunteered to serve and did so at the time for more reasons than just to maintain the readiness of our country to meet an opposing force in the event of a conflict. (I use the term “conflict” because we haven’t declared a war by act of Congress since WWII, but the results are the same.)

It was a sense of obligation that was instilled in me by my mother and a family history of men in my family serving in the armed forces, including a paternal great-great-grandfather who fought for the Confederacy. It was also an opportunity to get additional education, test my own abilities, and get some needed discipline I knew was lacking in my youth.

But, back to EASD and other schools that aren’t in session…

If they truly want to honor veterans and thank them for their service they should have school that day, but devote time during the school day in which veterans from the different branches of service and different wars (or “conflicts”) can speak to them about their experiences. What they gained and lost in service of their country.

Personally, I gained much insight of what to expect before volunteering. Veterans of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam spoke to me before I joined, telling me differing stories of boot camp, camaraderie, and experiences – both good and horrible. I also had first-hand accounts from my grandfather, who was mustard gassed in WWI and part of the force that rescued The Lost Battalion.

I’m now at the age where I consider many serving today as, “kids.” Many are, considering they can’t legally drink a beer, but can be killed in service to their country.

These young men and women, along with much older veterans, could be best used by school districts in developing a program to truly honor veterans by visiting classrooms, or making a presentation during an assembly period on Veterans Day.

Allowing veterans to do that shows their service is truly honored and appreciated.

That would be a better way of saying, “Thank you.”