The University of Virginia decided to eliminate its 21-gun salute from its Veterans Day ceremony, but the reason truly demonstrates that America can’t be rightly called the “home of the brave,” at least not for the up and coming generation.

According to the university, the reason for eliminating the 21-gun salute was due to claims that it disrupts class and the real kicker is that it might frighten students due to gun violence that has occurred in schools in the US.

“One is that it would be disruptive to classes and two unfortunately with gun violence in the U.S., there was some concern that we would cause a panic if someone heard gunshots on grounds,” Jim Ryan, the college’s president, told NBC29.

However, some veterans are surprised and upset with the decision.

“I am very disillusioned, very upset, and very surprised that they would make such a decision,” said Jay Levine, who went through the ROTC program at UVA.

“Freedom isn’t free,” Levine added, saying that he was going to write to the school about the decision. “There’s a cost and that cost is born by the veterans and the families of those veterans.”

While UVA claims that it hears and respects the concerns and will continue to engage those with concerns, the reality is that there probably will not be a change unless someone continues to press the issue and do it loudly.

Instead of coddling grown adults for unwarranted fears, why isn’t UVA involving them in the ceremony, which reminds the people that men gave their lives to defend freedom?

I’m sure glad our veterans are scared of a 21-gun salute, or gunfire for that matter.  Can you imagine if they stormed a beachhead and were frightened the way UVA believes its student would be with a ceremony honoring veterans?