Coppola letter: Veterans Day
On Veterans Day, the Statesman ran a syndicated commentary titled “Making Veterans Day our Election Day.” As a veteran and wife and mother of veterans and active duty service members, I found this article both inaccurate and offensive to all military members.
Mr. Taft stated that Election Day in 2014 was on Veterans Day. That is simply not true. Election day was Nov. 4. Election day is set by law. Election day occurs on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. The earliest possible date is Nov. 2, and the latest possible date is Nov. 8.
Election Day is not, nor should it be, a national holiday. Linking Veterans Day and Election Day diminishes the contributions of all service members, whether active duty, retired or those making the ultimate sacrifice. If you want to honor the military, join them. Show your country that you really care.
Currently, our voting system is broken. Don’t break Veterans Day, too. I am an American and I am a veteran. I vote because it is my right, not because I might get the day off. Exercise your right, but leave Veterans Day alone.
Jackie Coppola, Boise
This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 6:28 PM with the headline "Coppola letter: Veterans Day."