Veterans and policies remembered

I have always had an ambiguous feeling for Veterans' Day or as the Canadians put it Remembrance Day.  As a child of the 60s, I grew up with the Vietnam War and its aftermath.  It was the beginning of the polarization of  America. As an eighth grader in 1965, I remember jeering war protesters in New York on a class trip.  By 1970, I had come around 180 degrees and joined the anti-war movement.  With a high draft lottery number, I never had to make the decision not to serve in what I considered an unjust war, but many in my generation served enthusiastically or reluctantly and over  50,000 paid the ultimate price for their country.  These policies were mostly set by WW2 veterans who felt they were doing the right thing in combatting communism.  History has provided a harsh judgement  of their actions.  Many of the small and larger conflicts since then have been orchestrated by a succession of "chicken hawks" who never served in the armed forces, but presumed to use them for ideological ends.  The evolution of the conscript army to an all  volunteer force has reduced the involvement of the average American with the military.  We all pay homage to our vets by rote, but what are we celebrating?  Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children have perished in our wars over the past half century and for what?  I think everyone between 18 and 20 should have to serve the nation either at home in a civilian service or in the armed forces.  An involved citizenry is essential to democracy.  If everyone is a veteran, then we all have a stake in and a voice for and against policies promulgated by our representatives in Washington.   Perhaps we will want to be represented by people who have had the experience of service.  Veterans' Day will be a truly national celebration.