What’s the opposite of bravery?

By Alan Cooper
Publisher

I was at the tennis courts last week playing doubles, and during a break, we started talking about Veterans Day. I mentioned the importance of what happened on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Wasn’t that the exact time they signed the official documents to end the First World War? Nobody, including me, was sure of their facts.

So here it is: the date marks the exact moment in 1918 when the armistice was signed to end World War I, then known as “the war to end all wars.” The armistice between the Allied nations and Germany took effect at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, bringing an end to four years of devastating conflict.

The following year, countries around the world recognized November 11 as a day of remembrance. In the United States, it was first observed as Armistice Day—a tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in World War I. After World War II and the Korean War, the observance expanded to honor all American veterans, and in 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed the name to Veterans Day.

In my native land, it’s called Remembrance Day, and one of my fondest memories from childhood is that everyone wore a bright red poppy pinned to their shirt. The tradition was inspired by the World War I poem, In Flanders Fields, where red poppies grew over the graves of fallen soldiers, becoming a lasting emblem of remembrance:

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow / Between the crosses, row on row.”

I probably didn’t even know the full significance of November 11 back then—I just thought it was “Poppy Day.”

Earlier this year, I read a novel by Columbia-based author Cathy Rigg called That Which Binds Us, set during the lead-up to the Civil War. When I spoke with her about the book, I mentioned that I identified with one of the characters, Ben Grubb—a young man, a talented banjo player, who doesn’t have the heart for war.

“I am Ben,” I told her. “You don’t want to send me to war. We’d lose. All I want to do is play a little guitar and make friends.”

Ben Grubb becomes Pvt. Benjamin E. Grubb and goes off to fight in the war, and well, his letters back home are gut wrenching. (I highly recommend this book.)

My personal comment on Veterans Day is simple: thank you to everyone who has served or is serving for your extraordinary bravery. When I say, “Thank you for your service,” I mean it. I carry a deep gratitude for those whose bravery shields me from ever having to ask, “Would I be brave enough?” I don’t know if I could do it. That’s the truth. What’s the opposite of bravery?

Please read our “Celebrating 60 of South Carolina’s Most Influential Military Leaders”. It highlights people like:

Lt. Col. James E. Smith Jr., S.C. Army National Guard and former U.S. Army Reserve (Infantry). Lt. Col. Smith served in Afghanistan. He is an attorney, a former member of the S.C. House of Representatives, and an inductee into the S.C. Military Veterans Hall of Fame.

And 59 others.

As we honor Veterans Day, the editors and staff of MidlandsBiz, UpstateBizSC, and LowcountryBizSC extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served. We honor their service and sacrifice, and we recognize the lasting role South Carolina has played in defending and shaping our nation’s history.

We also believe Veterans Day is not simply about the past—it’s a reminder of our ongoing responsibility to support those who have served. From ensuring access to quality healthcare and education, to helping veterans transition into civilian life and meaningful careers, honoring our veterans must go beyond words and ceremonies. It requires continued commitment, compassion, and community.