What Is Alive Day and Why Do Veterans Celebrate It?
Veterans have their own traditions and celebrations, says Jared Seyl. In Denver, some of the more active veterans on social media have come up with a unique way of marking an unusual milestone in their lives. For these veterans, “Alive Day” is something that is theirs alone, something that isn’t exactly a federal or even a local holiday, but something worth remembering, if not celebrating, anyway.
But what exactly is “Alive Day”? Readers Digest defines it as the anniversary of the day a soldier was wounded or injured. It might have occurred during an armed encounter, or it could be due to an ambush or a land mine, but the common denominator for all Alive Days is that it was a close brush with death. For Jared Seyl, hearing Denver veterans talk about their Alive Day makes him feel more than just the sentiment of “I’m so glad to be alive”. Sometimes, veterans’ stories come with a tinge of guilt, sometimes, even self-blame – as if they feel that they don’t feel worthy of their fellow veterans’ sacrifices. Sometimes, it takes years for a veteran to see Alive Day as something positive.
After the first time he heard an Alive Day story, Jared Seyl asked the Denver District Headquarters to give back to those who have given their lives to the country. As a result, the Denver District has partnered with organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project in helping veterans adjust to the civilian life. It is a chance to raise awareness of the trauma that our veterans go through years after leaving the service and to help them recover and contribute positively to society. Jared feels that these veterans’ remaining Alive Days should no longer be expressions of guilt and despair but be replaced with celebrations of life and gratitude.
But what exactly is “Alive Day”? Readers Digest defines it as the anniversary of the day a soldier was wounded or injured. It might have occurred during an armed encounter, or it could be due to an ambush or a land mine, but the common denominator for all Alive Days is that it was a close brush with death. For Jared Seyl, hearing Denver veterans talk about their Alive Day makes him feel more than just the sentiment of “I’m so glad to be alive”. Sometimes, veterans’ stories come with a tinge of guilt, sometimes, even self-blame – as if they feel that they don’t feel worthy of their fellow veterans’ sacrifices. Sometimes, it takes years for a veteran to see Alive Day as something positive.
After the first time he heard an Alive Day story, Jared Seyl asked the Denver District Headquarters to give back to those who have given their lives to the country. As a result, the Denver District has partnered with organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project in helping veterans adjust to the civilian life. It is a chance to raise awareness of the trauma that our veterans go through years after leaving the service and to help them recover and contribute positively to society. Jared feels that these veterans’ remaining Alive Days should no longer be expressions of guilt and despair but be replaced with celebrations of life and gratitude.
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