I am fortunate enough to live on one of our nations barrier islands. Small narrow strips of land running along the coast with the ocean on one side and a quiet river on the other. Admittedly I have over the years become a bit of an “island snob”. In other words, I make every attempt to not cross the bridge over to the mainland. The pace here is much slower and laid back and the lifestyle has attracted some of the more colorful characters that would seem out of place anywhere else. Kooky is the new normal. It’s still one of those communities where people still leave their front doors unlocked and kids play in the streets after dark. My neighbor across the street had just moved in from one of those cities on the mainland and on Halloween night expressed with some degree of confusion how strange it was that the teenage kids walked along the path to his front door instead of the much shorter route across his lawn and actually said ‘thank you” after getting their handful of candy. I laughed and told him to look out for the fire truck flashing its lights, a police escort, Christmas Carols playing over loudspeakers, fully decked out with Santa as it makes it’s way through the neighborhood stopping at homes with small children on Christmas Eve. Yes, I live in Mayberry with surfboards and I like it.

On Veterans Day I had to venture out over that bridge and run some errands on the mainland. On my way I went down Main Street and it was just as expected. Even though it is a small town with an even smaller budget, American flags were flying at every intersection from one end of Main Street to the other. Being a veteran myself it made me feel good that my community still takes time to demonstrate their appreciation to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. That feeling of pride and appreciation was quickly squashed as I made it across the bridge to the mainland.

The town at the end of the bridge was easily 4 to 5 times the size of the one where I live. The old main street has gone through a revitalization and is in full swing. Although on a smaller scale there are a couple of places that remind me of Bangers in Austin, TX. Plenty of little shops and lined with old growth trees. The blockades had just been moved after the Veterans Day parade had finished. The thing is that as we drove through there wasn’t a single flag, sign, or piece of bunting anywhere in sight. The reproduction gas lamps along the sidewalk were bare. The banner arms bare since the last summer festival.

So what does Veterans Day mean anymore? Another excuse for a sale or a floating holiday we can use on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I’d say it’s forgotten. Forgotten just like duty, honor, country…