Our local school district has decided to have a non-Veterans Day Veterans Day holiday.

To the editor, Northglenn – Thornton Sentinel,

As a parent with children in Adams District 12 I was a bit surprised to look at the district calendar for this school year and learn that Veterans’ Day had been moved to November 8th.  That was indeed news to me! 

Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479) designates November 11th as Veterans Day.  The holiday is on this date every year, not on a random Monday.  Celebrating Veterans’ Day on November 11th not only preserves the historical significance of the date but also helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans’ Day:  a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  Something which children especially need to be taught. 

Over the years there have been movements within the Federal legislature, state legislatures and municipalities to move Veterans Day to a set Monday annually.  This action has continually been strongly opposed by veterans and veterans’ organizations like the American Legion and the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars.  This holiday is to honor veterans – period.  It is not to afford people the opportunity to have a three day weekend.  Keeping Veterans Day on November 11th ensures veterans receive their proper recognition. 

It is greatly appreciated that Adams 12 has traditionally honored this holiday when many school districts do not.  I believe in the past the district has also adhered to the true date of the holiday.  This year however Adams District 12 has removed the significance of the holiday and that is a disservice to veterans and perhaps most importantly, it sends the wrong message to the students. 

If the district wants to celebrate Veterans Day, it needs to do so on November 11th – the day the law designates and the day that those whom it honors prefer and have fought to keep.  How else are students to learn the significance of the sacrifices veterans have made and participate in the many events that occur on Veterans Day to celebrate the holiday? 

If the district is simply looking for an excuse for a three day weekend, do not use Veterans Day to justify this.  It is an insult to me and an insult to all veterans who have served this great nation.

Veterans and parents are encouraged to let the district know Veterans Day is November 11th.