By Sean Verhoeff | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
As we approach Veterans Day, a day dedicated to honoring the men and women who have selflessly served our nation, we are reminded of the sacrifices these individuals and their families have made.
This federal holiday offers the nation an opportunity to reflect on the courage, commitment and resilience of our veterans, and to express gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy as a result of their service.
However, in Colorado, many public schools do not observe Veterans Day as a holiday, meaning students attend classes as usual, and families often miss the chance to celebrate together. For families with a legacy of military service, this lack of observance can feel like a missed opportunity to pass down stories, traditions and lessons that Veterans Day embodies. In some cases, this decision even feels like a slight to the sacrifices of those who have served, as the day goes by without pause or ceremony within school walls.
Supporters of a school holiday for Veterans Day argue that closing schools would be a show of respect, aligning with federal observance and allowing students to join family members at parades, ceremonies or other commemorative events. Schools that remain open sometimes use Veterans Day as an opportunity for classroom education about the military’s role in American history, which educators argue brings awareness and understanding to students.
But many families believe the day deserves more than a lesson plan — it deserves recognition in the form of time spent with loved ones, especially those who are veterans themselves. For these families, a day off would allow for moments of reflection, gratitude and bonding over the stories of service and sacrifice that have shaped generations.
As we continue to reflect on the best ways to honor veterans, perhaps it is time for Colorado school districts to reevaluate the importance of a day off. Giving students and families the chance to observe Veterans Day together would not only demonstrate respect for veterans, but would also foster a deeper understanding of what it means to serve.
Active-duty personnel and veterans often spend years away from their families due to deployments, training and rotations that rarely align with traditional holiday schedules. These individuals miss countless moments with their loved ones — birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgivings, and Christmases — due to the demands of military service. For them, Veterans Day is a rare chance to reclaim a moment with family that’s often lost amid the obligations of duty.
When schools remain open on this holiday, it deprives veterans of one of the few holidays specifically meant for them to share their stories, bond with loved ones, and honor the legacy of their service. It feels unjust that schools take children away on a day that should naturally be observed with family, leaving veterans and active-duty parents longing for an opportunity that’s well-deserved and long overdue.
For now, families across the state may find ways to honor their loved ones within their own means, hoping for a future where Veterans Day is recognized more widely as a time for unity, remembrance and gratitude.
Sean Verhoeff is a small business owner, 101st Airborne combat veteran, and vice chair of the Colorado Federation of Young Republicans.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.