As Americans prepare to celebrate Veterans Day, an 82nd Airborne veteran is calling out the nation for its lack of reverence toward those who served—contrasting the holiday’s muted reception with the fanfare surrounding other cultural observances.
Veterans Day vs. Other Celebrations
Jonathan Flora, a former U.S. Army paratrooper and Disney executive, argues that while society enthusiastically embraces events like Pride Month and National Donut Day, Veterans Day gets shortchanged—despite honoring the very people who ensure those freedoms endure. “We get one day,” Flora writes in the Daily Wire, questioning why veterans receive far less recognition than month-long observances for other causes.
A Call for Gratitude Beyond Symbolism
Flora, who served in the 82nd Airborne Division and later led Disney’s veterans outreach program, highlights the disconnect between the sacrifices of service members and the public’s indifference. He takes particular issue with professional athletes who refuse to stand for the national anthem, singling out LeBron James as “an embarrassment” for his dismissive behavior during pre-game ceremonies.
“You don’t have to love every war or every politician,” he writes, “but would it kill you to stand respectfully for two minutes?” Flora notes the irony of athletes willing to endure grueling physical feats but seemingly incapable of honoring the flag.
The Distinction Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day
Flora also clarifies a common misunderstanding—Veterans Day isn’t just another Memorial Day. While Memorial Day commemorates fallen soldiers, Veterans Day honors all who served, living and deceased. Yet, he says, even this distinction often gets lost in the shuffle of holiday sales and barbecues.
The Power of Listening to Veterans
During his time as a Disney executive, Flora helped organize Veterans Day events featuring Medal of Honor recipients, believing that hearing firsthand accounts of service could bridge the civilian-military divide. “When a Medal of Honor recipient speaks, even Hollywood executives discover the value of listening,” he writes.
A Plea for Year-Round Recognition
Flora isn’t asking for parades or free meals—just a deeper acknowledgment of what service entails: missed holidays, family separations, and the ultimate sacrifice from those who never returned. “What if we treated our veterans’ service as something worth celebrating the other 364 days?” he asks.
To his fellow veterans, Flora offers gratitude—and a challenge for Americans to show the same respect beyond a single November day.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/what-an-82nd-airborne-veteran-wants-americans-to-remember-this-veterans-day