It doesn’t matter if you call it Veterans Day, Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day, it all started the same place. At 11:11 on November 11th, 1918, the Germans signed documents agreeing to end the so-called “Great War” with the Allied Powers. So traumatizing was the First World War that the very next year we began to commemorate its ending, but at the time we honored only the dead from that conflict.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that we began to remember all Veterans, regardless of conflict, or period of service. The US Congress made Veterans Day an official National holiday in 1954.
Today, we join our brothers and sisters in freedom loving nations around the world in honoring those who serve. There’s a saying that is most often associated with the Viet Nam conflict but I think it applies to all Veterans, “All gave some, Some gave all.”
Today, some of us will participate in parades or other events, but I think we all could take a cue from our Commonwealth partners and offer a moment of silence for our Fallen.
SSD salutes our fellow Veterans, especially my two children who serve our nation in the Army National Guard and US Navy. Thank you for your service.
Looks like my comment went to a different page.
And again.
As your Moment of truth video gave me the answer.
Thank you for your support. and this Web site.
And if you are going to be in a VFW or Legion Post for Dinner, Raise a toast given me by a Batann survivor. ” ABSENT FRIENDS.”
Charlie
PH1/AC USN Ret. 65-85
” ABSENT FRIENDS”
GOD BLESS US ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.soc.mil/Memorial%20Wall/Bios/Coffin_Christopher.pdf
I met a gentleman yesterday, Capt. Lewis Thomas, USN (Ret.), who was at sea with the Enterprise Battle Group while the attack on Pearl Harbor was underway. When they pulled in Moday morning, ships were still burning and ammo was still cooking off. He went on to participate in the first sorties against Japanese held islands, Doolittles Raid, Santa Cruz, Midway, and went over the side of the Northampton when she was sunk off Guadalcanal. Never got his survivor’s leave though. His skill as a communications officer was too valuable and he had to stay in theater. He was still in the Pacific at war’s end. 96 years old and still capable of inspiring me, a 63 year old naval retiree, to be a better person. No wonder we call the WWII vets America’s finest generation. And I have met many of our veterans of all our conflicts since 1945 and I have to say…they are all America’s finest!
My Regiment had our annual Church parade today. Everyone goes, no matter what faith, because the religion doesn’t matter, it’s the people we remember.
We will remember them.
Thank you Eric! Veterans Day has always been a very heartfelt day for me. I wish I could just reach out to every Veteran and thank them. Our Veterans are truly great human beings that deserve more than a pat on the back or a handshake and yet that’s all they ask in return from us. Truly selfless and devoted!
This Veterans Day I have made it a point to thank not only the Veterans but the Veterans families too. I had no idea how hard it was to be a family member of a deployed Soldier until this last year. The Veterans family serves here at home while the Warfighter serves overseas.