A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-11-04....Thank You, Veterans

Dutchess

[Billie]

A Tribute to our Veterans...Past and Present

In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world rejoiced and celebrated. After four years of bitter war, the Allied powers a signed a cease-fire agreement (an armistice) with Germany at Rethondes, France on November 11, 1918, bringing World War I to a close. The "war to end all wars" was over.

A Tribute to our Veterans The Origins of Veterans Day

In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, became the focal point of reverence for America's veterans.

Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation's highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as "Armistice Day."

Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was "the War to end all wars," November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle.

Armistice Day Changed To Honor All Veterans

An answer to the question of how to pay tribute to those who had served in this latest, great war came in a proposal made by Representative Edwin K. Rees of Kansas: Change Armistice Day to Veterans Day, and make it an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.

On Memorial Day 1958, two more unidentified American war dead were brought from overseas and interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier of World War I. One was killed in World War II, the other in the Korean War. In 1973, a law passed providing interment of an unknown American from the Vietnam War, but none was found for several years. In 1984, an unknown serviceman from that conflict was placed alongside the others. To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, The 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.

A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

National Ceremonies Held at Arlington

The focal point for official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day continues to be the memorial amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns. At 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb. The nation's tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath. The bugler plays "taps." The rest of the ceremony takes place in the amphitheater.

Someday We'll be Veterans Too...Pray for Us as We Pray for You

God Bless You..our Veterans ...thank you for your service for our country...and for being there as a support for us as we carry on your tradition...

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-08-04 Military Monday 11-09-04 What they're wearing to the Inaugural Ball 11-10-04 Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps.

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man
at
danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

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[Billie]

[Billie]

God Bless our veterans on this day and all others. We owe you our gratitude and our respect, for without you America would not be the strong and free country we know and love. Thank you from our hearts.

A special thank you to our Dutchess, who prepared today's thread and had planned to post it herself. She lost her mother unexpectedly over the weekend and will only be returning home today. We love you, Dutchess.

[MEG33]

"God Bless You..our Veterans ...thank you for your service for our country...and for being there as a support for us as we carry on your tradition..."..Amen

Beautiful tribute..My prayers are with you,dutchess, and your dad.

[Gabz]

Good morning, Billie and all the Finest.

Your tribute to our Veteran's is absolutely beautiful.

[ArmyBratCutie]

God Bless Our Veterans
Remembering My Daddy today and everyday
Col Alex S Hall.... RIP
I sent you a pix to add to the album

:)

[DollyCali]

Simply beautiful Billie.. and lucky you getting to do 2 threads in one Week!!!

I am finalizing my annual personal Veterans Tribute which I email.. (lifting lots from FR & no doubt here also).. anyone who would like a copy emailed, FReemail me your addy. If you think I already have it, I may NOT.. as I have had to redo my aol service a couple months ago. I may have addy but not your screennae/etc. with close to 600 names in my book, I don't send unless I can for sure know who they are.

Nonone registered TODAY will be emailed from me.. you all here understand that one.

[DollyCali]

Billie.. I am just going to link your whole thread, it is so beautifully done..

[Hat-Trick]

The Mansions of The Lord:

To fallen soldiers let us sing,
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing,
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord

No more weeping,
No more fight,
No friends bleeding through the night,
Just Devine embrace,
Eternal light,
In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry
And no children weep,
We shall stand and guard
Though the angels sleep,
Oh, through the ages let us keep
The Mansions of the Lord

Thank you great warriors, one and all!

Hat-Trick, USCG, 1980-1986

[The Mayor]

November 11, 2004

The Agony Of The Cross

Read: Isaiah 53

[Jesus] humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. —Philippians 2:8

Bible In One Year: Jeremiah 50; Hebrews 8

---

As Christians, we understand the spiritual significance of Christ's sacrifice at Calvary, but it's easy to forget about the tremendous agony He endured there. The worst aspect was separation from the Father, but the physical suffering was also horrible beyond comprehension.

In his book Dare To Believe, Dan Baumann shares some thoughts that can deepen our gratitude for what the Savior did for us. He wrote, "We have perhaps unwisely and sometimes unconsciously glamorized the cross. Jewelry and steeples alike are often ornamental and attractive but carry nothing of the real story of crucifixion. It was the most painful method of public death in the first century. The victim was placed on a wooden cross. Nails . . . were driven into the hands and feet of the victim, and then the cross was lifted and jarred into the ground, tearing the flesh of the crucified and racking his body with excruciating pain. Historians remind us that even the soldiers could not get used to the horrible sight, and often took strong drink to numb their senses."

With a fresh awareness of our Savior's physical agony, let's thank Him anew for His sacrifice at Calvary. He loved us so much that He was willing to die for us—even the painful death of the cross. —Richard De Haan

Was it for crimes that I have done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree! —Watts

We can never sacrifice enough for the One who sacrificed His all for us.

[GAAQ]

God Bless our veteran's and all who serve in the military of this great nation of ours.

[The Mayor]

Thank You Veterans!
and All Active Duty!

President Bush meets with troops bound for the Middle East.
Photo courtesy of the White House.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FOR VETERANS DAY



These are the times that try men's souls.
The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will,
in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country;
but he that stands it now,
deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
Thomas Paine, Founding Father



We must not forget the past.
We must not forget those who sacrificed,
but we must also remember the reason for their sacrifice.
They died so tyranny would die.
They died to create a better world for those of us who followed them.
Their sacrifice was not in vain.
Secretary of State Colin Powell as
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
observing the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor,
December 7, 1991.



PRESIDENTIAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK


The willingness with which our young people
are likely to serve in any war,
no matter how justified,
shall be directly proportional
as to how they perceive the veterans
of earlier wars were treated
and appreciated by their Nation.
George Washington


From The Presidental Prayer Team..

[The Mayor]

Amen!

Welcome to the Finest and to FreeRepublic..

[MEG33]

Thank you ,Mayor.

AMERICA..HOME OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE

[The Mayor]

Amen!

[Gabz]

Very Inspirational.

[Gabz]

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John Mcrae

[Temple Owl]

Thank you for the beautiful post. It is much appreciated.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Billie.

[dutchess]

Thanks for your kind words and god bless our veterans. Several of dads friends are here having coffee before we leave for the airport. All WWII vets. I shared todays thread and they were "amazed". Dad was so proud to say "my daughter did this" Thanks Billie!!!! Will check in tonight.

[Aquamarine]

Beautiful creation (((Dutchess))). Thanks for posting this today Billie.

May God bless our Veteran's for their sacrifices in preserving freedom.

Remembering my father who served in WWII.