Frank Lennon, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, is speaking out against the growing sentiment among younger generations who perceive Veterans Day as a celebration of war rather than honoring the sacrifices of those who served.

At 82, Lennon, a Green Beret and West Point graduate, shared his thoughts in a recent op-ed published in The Providence Journal, where he expressed disappointment in how many young people view the day.

Lennon, who was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, argued that this view of Veterans Day, which equates honoring veterans with glorifying war, is misguided.

He emphasized that for those who have fought in wars, there is no one who despises war more than they do.

The Ongoing Debate and Anti-Veterans Day Protest

The criticism comes in light of an anti-Veterans Day protest planned at Columbia University in New York.

The protest’s organizers, part of a student group called Columbia University Apartheid Divest, are rejecting the holiday, stating that they do not support honoring the “American war machine” due to the suffering it has caused in places like Gaza.

Their message is clear: they plan to celebrate Martyrs Day instead, to honor those they believe have been victimized by the “Israel-US war machine.”

Lennon, however, sees this as part of a wider trend of young people distancing themselves from traditional observances of Veterans Day.

“I bemoan the general decline in interest, especially among younger people, in recognizing the sacrifices that others have made to maintain our way of life,” he wrote in his op-ed.

Veterans and the Struggles of Returning Home

Lennon’s military experience includes service with the Army’s Special Forces, where he was involved in covert operations in Vietnam.

He also participated in the Tet Offensive, earning several prestigious military awards, including the Purple Heart and the Air Medal.

However, it’s not just the combat that shaped Lennon’s views—it was the way veterans were treated when they came home.

Reflecting on his post-Vietnam experience, Lennon recalled how the country’s treatment of returning soldiers was far from welcoming.

Unlike World War II veterans who were greeted with parades and public celebrations, the Vietnam veterans received much less recognition, and many found themselves in heated debates about the war upon returning home.

The transition from war to civilian life, Lennon shared, was difficult and often lacked support.

“You could be sitting in your living room, cracking a cold one, and trying to deal with a crying baby within three days of being shot at in a hostile jungle environment,” he wrote, lamenting how unprepared soldiers were for the drastic shift back to normal life.

The Changing Landscape of Veterans’ Groups

Lennon also expressed concern about the decline in membership in veterans’ groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion.

He noted that the fast-paced digital world and shifting priorities among younger veterans have made it harder for them to engage in these traditional groups, which were once vital in fostering community and support.

The veteran community, Lennon noted, has changed, and with it, the dynamics of honoring and supporting military service.

However, he remains hopeful about the future, urging that the fight for recognition and support should not end.

“The need is still great,” he asserted, quoting President Joe Biden’s August statement: “As a nation, we have many obligations, but only one truly sacred obligation: to train and equip those we send into harm’s way and care for them and their families when they return home, and when they don’t.”

Veterans Day, for Lennon, is an opportunity to honor the sacrifices of all who served, not as a celebration of war, but as a moment to reflect on the duty and honor of those who risk everything for their country.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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