Veteran's Day - Vets Called upon to Wear their Ribbons

via NRO.

Interesting, I hadn't heard about this. There is a national drive to get veterans to wear their service ribbons on Veteran's Day. It's an interesting idea, one that I hope catches on. It would feel a little odd, to say the least, to be an early adopter and to do so, however. VA Secretary Nicholson apparently got the idea from vets and family members wearing their (or their relative's) ribbons at ANZAC Day in Australia. He addresses my discomfort (and I imagine a lot of other vets) thusly:

"The secretary is adamant about not wanting U.S. veterans to view the wearing of their decorations as “boasting,” and thus not wearing them. It is simply another way in which veterans may continue to serve their country with a display of military pride and allegiance with all soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen; as well as a personal expression of loyalty to — and an unbroken bond with — veterans of previous conflicts and those currently engaged in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the world."

When you put it that way, Mr. Secretary, well, I think you have me on board. Particularly with my brother-in-law serving in Baghdad right now, and a good friend's son there as well.