BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — A ceremony is defined as a formal public occasion that recognizes parts of our history and the sacrifices people have made in between, and they have endured for as long as humanity’s existence. The Natural History Museum, for example, found the oldest example of a ceremony dating back more than 130,000 years ago, where a Neanderthal woman was laid to rest. But why are ceremonies so crucial?

“I think it’s huge,” said veteran and Amvets 9 Honor Guard member Chris Padilla, “because I had a big gap after I got out of the military, where I was not involved in any kind of military service organization or veteran organization. And then once I got involved, it just automatically clicked. And it felt so much better.”

Veterans Day, which is a time to remember veterans and victims of war, often comes with a whole host of ceremonies like salutes, parades, and processions like Monday’s Amvets Veterans Day Ceremony. And research is finding that Veterans Day ceremonies are integral for the health and wellness of the military and military families.

“It gives them a great opportunity to come down and see their friends,” said veteran Robert Olzweski. “That’s the biggest thing. So they can come down and talk to their friends that they probably haven’t seen for a while. Talk about their stories, veterans stories, and things like that.”

Anything that benefits the health of veterans is vital in today’s military age, where operations continue to grow more complex, and the mental and physical toll remains intense. One study found that 23 out of every 100 veterans will experience post-traumatic stress disorder in their lifetime. And with more than 1.7 million veterans seeking out mental health care from Veterans Affairs, anything that helps provide solutions to mental health problems is crucial. That’s why more and more people are turning to tradition.

“Personally,” Padilla continued, “I’ve benefitted from these types of events, and volunteering on the Honor Guard as well. It puts me in the group of our fellow brothers and sisters just to have that outlet, and to have people to talk to when there are times of struggle and just kind of makes you feel that brotherhood again.”

Numerous studies have found that certain mental health symptoms are alleviated when veterans take part in a ceremony. Researchers say there are many reasons for this. Namely, they say ceremonies help create a new identity for members post-service, process trauma, and death, and assist with reintegrating into civilian life by providing them with a sense of community.

“Probably the biggest thing is that it gives them an outlet,” said Padilla, “as well because they can relate to others who are going through the same thing or have gone through the same thing or maybe even preparing to go through the same thing.”