Axar.az presents an article “My Veterans Day Speech” by John Samuel Tieman.

What follows is a speech I gave at the City Council meeting on Monday, 28 October 2024, in University City, Missouri. My working title was “The Words Matter”.

I have written any number of coauthored pieces, many with my wife. But I hate “writing in committee”, as the saying goes, which is to say writing with several people. Nonetheless, when I began this piece, I was stuck. I was flooded with all kinds of feelings. I am, after all, a Vietnam veteran. I asked for advice from friends. Taking several suggestions, I began to write. As I went along, I shared the first draft. Folks advised me to be, frankly, less angry and more inclusive. For these friends, my gratitude is incalculable.

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Honorable Mayor, my fellow Council Members, my fellow citizens:

I have a few words about Veteran's Day. This Council won't meet again until after Veteran's Day, so it seems appropriate to speak now.

I have taken the trouble to write my words, because often in politics these days some folks forget – the words matter. Therefore, I will consider the words. Words in which I refuse to repeat cliches of patriotism, words in which I will speak of the stark reality of faithful service and honorable duty. And if my words are stark, then – good. For my purpose is solemnity, dignity, commemoration.

Veteran's Day and Memorial Day are often confused. Veteran's Day is for all who served in the Armed Forces. Memorial Day is for those who died. It is just as well that we confuse these terms. It reminds us of how these two days have now more to do with barbecues and beer rather than service and duty.

This Veteran's Day, I have no doubt that someone somewhere – indeed, someone much like me – will say, “We celebrate all who wore the uniform, heroes all.” I don't doubt the good intentions. But it's cliched. “Hero” is so overused that it's now almost meaningless. A local TV segment notwithstanding, someone who rescues a puppy from the pound is not a hero. Nice but not a hero. The difference is one of degree, yes, but also one of dignity, the difference between congratulation and commemoration.

There are heroes. But simply wearing the uniform does not make someone a hero. Even great and honorable sacrifice does not define “hero”. I met Steve when we were at Southern Methodist University. An Air Force veteran, he eventually dropped out because of chronic pain. His foot was crushed when a missile dropped on it. A winch broke. Steve's service was honorable. His sacrifice was profound. But he wasn't a hero. This distinction matters. Steve would tell you this himself. We honor him when we remember his faithful service. We dishonor him when we turn him into a cliche.

Don't get me wrong. There are real heroes. I served with Tony. Tony earned two -- Two! -- Distinguished Flying Crosses in Vietnam during 1970. But he isn't a hero just because he wore the uniform. Tony is a hero because, in June, under heavy fire, he extracted frantic soldiers. He is a hero because, that November, at great personal risk, he resupplied desperate infantrymen. That's a hero.

If my words are stark, this starkness is not without purpose. If there is anything I could do for this holiday, Veteran's Day, and for this word “hero”, it would be to restore them both to their solemn dignity. The words by which we commemorate, these words matter.

Therefore, this Veteran's Day, not the word “hero” but the word “remember”. Remember the story. Remember the veteran's name. Remember that this man, this woman, wore with honor the uniform of democracy, the uniform of the republic. Remember that this man, this woman, answered the call to duty. Remember the service. Remember. The word matters.

John S. Tieman, Ph. D.

Council Member, 2nd Ward