VETERANS DAY: WHY THE CELEBRATION? BECAUSE WE ARE FREE TO DO SO

Who do we celebrate Veterans Day?

A citizen telephoned the American Legion headquarters in Indianapolis recently to say that he didn't think veterans deserve any special recognition, honor or benefits.

It was the caller's opinion that America's wartime veterans have given no more or no less to our country than any other citizen who goes to work each day and otherwise does his or her part.

It is a fair questions: Why do we celebrate Veterans Day?

First, the U.S. Constitution grants citizens the right to assemble peaceably and the freedom to speak our minds. Many Americans in 1994 take such rights for granted.

But we have only to look at the many trouble spots around the world, some very close to home, to know how fragile and rare are the freedoms that we enjoy.

Second, because of the tremendous contribution America's veterans have made to the defense of our nation, it is important to honor these individuals. Nov. 11, the date on which World War I was officially concluded, has been designated for this purpose.

Third, veterans do recognize the contributions of all Americans who pitched in and did their part on the home front during wartime.

But what of the men and women who donned their country's uniform, left jobs, homes and families and placed themselves in harm's way for the sake of their nation?

Gen. Douglas MacArthur described America's citizen-soldier as "one of the world's noblest figures."

Recalling two world wards, MacArthur said:

"In memory's eye I could see those staggering columns of the First World War, bending under soggy packs on many a weary march, from dripping dusk to drizzling dawn, slogging ankle-deep through the mire of shell-pocked roads, to form grimly for the attack, blue-lipped, covered with sludge and mud, chilled by the wind and rain, driving home to their objective, and, for many, to the judgment seat of God. And 20 years after, on the other side of the globe, again the filth of murky foxholes, the stench of ghostly trenches, the slime of dripping dugouts, those boiling suns of relentless heat, those torrential rains of devastating storms...the bitterness of long separation from those they loved and cherished, the deadly pestilence of tropical disease, the horror of stricken areas of war."

Author James Brady, a Marine during the Korean War, has written this about his experiences:

"We stayed on the line once through January and February for 46 days. Never washed, never changed clothes, and we ate from tin cans. No fresh fruit, no milk, no bread. Our faces were pitted with pustules and blackheads and in the cold, (mucus) froze...solid on our nostrils and upper lips and our eyes were bloodshot...and twitched from never and fatigue. And you try to keep it hanging together when a friend of yours is killed or loses an eye or his hands and try to forget what dead men look like hanging on barbed wire in the morning after you have fought again through the night."

Here is how Marsha Young, a Desert Storm veteran, described her experiences in a recent letter to The American Legion Magazine:

"The monsoon rains flooded us, the Scuds attached us and the local harassed the American women. Water made our chemical suits ineffective against any agents in the Scud warheads. We had no showers for 11 days. With water and toilet-paper rationing, constant sand storms, 100-plus degree weather, no tampons, no laundry, Scud attacks and sniper fire, I too became the animal within... . I live today with what is called the Saudi Syndrome. My utmost respect goes to the combat veterans whatever the war, whatever the gender."

Indeed. In war after war, America's veterans have returned home in need of medical help, education and a job. Yet time and time again veterans have had to fight for these things too -- for benefits that a grateful nation should bestow upon its defenders like a crown of laurel.

As national commander of the American Legion, I am proud to say that throughout our organization's 75 years, we have been in the thick of the fight. And we will keep on fighting. With their blood, their sweat and tears, America's veterans have earned their place at the table.

Why do we celebrate Veterans Day? Because veterans have given us the freedom to do so.

William M. Detweiler is national commander of the American Legion.