Service & Sacrifice

Mining Journal marks Veterans Day with special section, videos

It started as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919 — the first anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1927, Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance, with Nov. 11 becoming a national holiday in 1938.

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day.

Unfortunately, wars still happen, which means there still are veterans in need of help, and if nothing else, they need to be remembered and appreciated.

Thursday is Veterans Day, and to commemorate this occasion, The Mining Journal today is featuring a series of articles titled “Service & Sacrifice: War through the eyes of U.P. Veterans.” The articles feature seven area veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the Iraq War — all of whom have compelling stories to share.

Their memories bring to life heartbreaking but inspirational tales from battle and their return.

To complement today’s special feature, associated videos featuring these veterans will be available on Thursday on The Mining Journal’s website at www.miningjournal.net.

All online content associated with this project — videos and articles — will be freely available and accessible to non-subscribers and subscribers alike.

The videos allow the veterans to tell their powerful stories in their own words, with photographs and maps adding to their memories.

The articles and videos are unique in that they feature local veterans who also talk about their life at home after their service.

This is something to keep in mind. You could walk the down the street past one of these remarkable people — or other veterans — and not know it, nor would you know their backgrounds.

Reading the articles and watching the videos will make it easier for readers and viewers to appreciate what veterans went through, and what they continue to go through in their daily lives.

That is part of the essence of Veterans Day. Of course, few people want wars, and few people actually want to fight in them. When conflict does arise, we rely on the brave servicemen and women who take huge risks on the battlefield and off.

Some come home, and some don’t.

We urge people to read The Mining Journal series and watch the videos to gain a greater understanding of veterans. Hopefully, people will carry forward what they learned and use that knowledge to help veterans every day — not just Veterans Day.