The FReeper Foxhole - Honoring Veterans Day - November 11th, 2006

http://www1.va.gov ^

[snippy_about_it]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


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U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer.

If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions.

We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.

To read previous Foxhole threads or
to add the Foxhole to your sidebar,
click on the books below.

Veterans Day




To our veterans - Thank You



Veterans Day

A day set aside to honor our country's living veterans. At the Foxhole honoring veterans is a major part of our mission.

Whereas we will not forget those who died or our POW/MIAs, and those who are currently serving, today we specifically honor those men and women living among us who have served our country in times past, our living veterans.

At the Foxhole we are blessed to have veterans as part of our Foxhole family both as readers and contributors.


We would like to welcome all our veterans to the Foxhole on this very special day as we attempt to honor you and thank you for your service to our country. Freedom is not free and our debt to you and those gone before you can never fully be paid. May God richly bless you all. Welcome home and we will never forget.

It matters not where, when or how your served; here at home or in a foreign land, in the air, at sea or on land; in peacetime or in war, on the battefield or behind a desk; on supply lines; as an engineer, a mechanic, an infantrymen, a cook or medic. You chose to volunteer or fullfilled your duty by the draft and served America and we are forever grateful. Every job is important as they all support each other and the cause of freedom.

Some sacrifices are greater, yes, and some service more dangerous than others, yet all service is sacrifice by the troop and their family and we highly respect that service. Some gave all, all gave some.

Thank you all - from SAM and snippy

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FReeper Foxhole Armed Services Links

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Veterans Pride



A Message from Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson

America's veterans are the face of America. They come from all walks of life, all ages, all ethnicities. They served our Nation honorably and well and we honor that service, but how do we honor the veteran – the individual who put on the uniform and gave his or her all for our country?

Last spring I had the privilege of attending the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day ceremonies in Sydney, Australia. ANZAC Day is the most important national holiday in Australia, a combination of Memorial Day and Veterans Day. It was established to commemorate the more than 8,000 Australians killed in the battle of Gallipoli in World War I, and now honors all Australian and New Zealand veterans.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson

One of the things that stood out during the day-long ceremonies was how all of the veterans and surviving family members wore their medals and campaign ribbons. It focused public pride and attention on those veterans as individuals with personal histories of service and sacrifice for the common good.

That is why I am calling on America's veterans to wear their military medals this Veterans Day, November 11, 2006. Wearing their medals will demonstrate the deep pride our veterans have in their military service and bring Veterans Day home to all American citizens.

Veterans, wear your pride on your left side this Veterans Day! Let America know who you are and what you did for freedom.

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Veterans Day Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which is the correct spelling of Veterans Day?

a. "Veterans Day"
b. "Veteran's Day"
c. "Veterans' Day"

A. Veterans Day (choice a, above).
Veterans Day does not include an apostrophe but does include an "s" at the end of "veterans" because it is not a day that "belongs" to veterans, it is a day for honoring all veterans.

Q. On what day of the week will Veterans Day be observed?

A. Veterans Day is always observed officially on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls.  The Veterans Day National Ceremony, like most ceremonies around the nation, is held on Veterans Day itself.  However, when Veterans Day falls on a weekday, many communities choose to hold Veterans Day parades or other celebrations on the weekend before or after November 11 so that more people can participate.

Q. Who decides if a government office or business closes or stays open on Veterans Day?

A. Federal government closings are established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).  Generally, when a holiday falls on a non-workday -- Saturday or Sunday -- the federal government is closed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).  A complete schedule of Federal Government closings can be found on the Internet at .

State and local governments, including schools, are not required to follow OPM closure policies and may determined for themselves whether to close or remain open. Likewise, non-government businesses are free to make their own decisions to close or remain open for business, regardless of federal, state or local government closings.

Q. Why do some schools close and others remain in session on Veterans Day?

A. Because there is no legal requirement that schools close on Veterans Day, individual states or school districts are free to establish their own policies on school closings.  Most schools that do not close for Veterans Day schedule assemblies or other activities to honor America's veterans on Veterans Day and throughout the week that includes Veterans Day. 

Q. What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

A. Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day.  Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.  In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty. A complete history of Veterans Day, and why it is observed on November 11, can be found on the Veterans Day History Web page. 

Q. Why are red poppies worn on Veterans Day, and where can I obtain them?

A. The wearing of poppies in honor of America's war dead is traditionally done on Memorial Day, not Veterans Day. The practice of wearing of poppies takes its origin from the poem "In Flanders Fields," written in 1915 by John McCrae. Click here to read "In Flanders Fields." For information on how to obtain poppies for use on Memorial Day, contact a veterans service organization, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) or The American Legion, as a number of veterans organizations distribute poppies annually on Memorial Day.  You can find veterans groups in the Veterans Service Organization link on VA's Veterans Day web page. Veterans groups in your area can be found in your local phone book.  Look in the yellow pages under "Veterans and Military Organizations" or a similar heading.

Q. How can I get a Veterans Day poster?

A.  Each September, the Department of Veterans Affairs distributes posters to schools, state governments, Veterans Day Regional Sites, the military services and veterans service organizations.  We fulfill individual poster requests until our remaining inventory is exhausted.  However, you can download or print your own poster in the size and resolution you want directly from the Veterans Day Poster Gallery.  Click on the poster image, then choose from the selections offered.

Q. Can I get a Veterans Day Teacher's Guide?

A. We encourage teachers and others interested in obtaining Teacher's Guides to download the Portable Document File (PDF), available from the Veterans Day Home page. Please feel free to make as many additional copies as you need.

Q. Is Veterans Day celebrated in other countries?

A. Yes, a number of countries honor their veterans each year on November 11, although the name and types of commemorations differ somewhat from Veterans Day celebrations in the United States. For example, Canada and Australia observe "Remembrance Day" on November 11, and Great Britain observes "Remembrance Day" on the Sunday nearest to November 11. There are similarities and differences between these countries' Remembrance Day and America's Veterans Day. Canada's observance is actually quite similar to the U.S. celebration, in that the day is intended to honor all who served in Canada's Armed Forces. However, unlike in the U.S., many Canadians wear red poppy flowers on November 11 in honor of their war dead. In Australia, Remembrance Day is very much like America's Memorial Day, a day to honor that nation's war dead.

In Great Britain, the day is commemorated by church services and parades of ex-service members in Whitehall, a wide ceremonial avenue leading from London's Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square. Wreaths of poppies are left at the Cenotaph, a war memorial in Whitehall, which was built after the First World War. At the Cenotaph and elsewhere in the country, a two-minute silence is observed at 11 a.m., to honor those who lost their lives in wars.

Click here to go to the Veterans Day home page.

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Fact Sheet: America's Wars

November 2006

American Revolution (1775-1783)
Total Servicemembers ..................................217,000

Battle Deaths ..................................................4,435

Non-mortal Woundings......................................6,188

War of 1812 (1812-1815)
Total Servicemembers...................................286,730
Battle Deaths..................................................2,260
Non-mortal Woundings.....................................4,505

Indian Wars (approx. 1817-1898)
Total Servicemembers...................................106,000
Battle Deaths...................................................1,000

Mexican War (1846-1848)
Total Servicemembers.....................................78,718
Battle Deaths...................................................1,733
Other Deaths in Service...................................11,550
Non-mortal Woundings......................................4,152

Civil War (1861-1865)
Total Servicemembers (Union).....................2,213,363
Battle Deaths (Union)....................................140,414
Other Deaths in Service (Union)......................224,097
Non-mortal Woundings (Union).......................281,881
Total Servicemembers (Conf.)......................1,500,000
Battle Deaths (Confederate).............................74,524
Other Deaths in Service (Confed.)....................59,297 *
Non-mortal Woundings (Confed.) .................Unknown

Spanish-American War (1898-1902)
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide).................306,760
Battle Deaths......................................................385
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)................2,061
Non-mortal Woundings......................................1,662

World War I (1917-1918)
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)...............4,734,991
Battle Deaths.................................................53,402
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)..............63,114
Non-mortal Woundings..................................204,002
Living Veterans......................................Less than 25

World War II (1941-1945)
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide).............16,112,566
Battle Deaths................................................291,557
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater).............113,842
Non-mortal Woundings..................................671,846
Living Veterans..........................................3,242,000

Korean War (1950-1953)
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)..............5,720,000
Battle Deaths.................................................33,741
Other Deaths (In Theater)..................................2,833
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)..............17,672
Non-mortal Woundings..................................103,284
Living Veterans..........................................3,086,400

Vietnam War (1964-1975)
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)..............8,744,000
Deployed to Southeast Asia........................3,403,000
Battle Deaths.................................................47,424
Other Deaths (In Theater)................................10,785
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)..............32,000
Non-mortal Woundings..................................153,303
Living Veterans..........................................7,286,500

Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-1991)
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)..............2,322,000
Deployed to Gulf...........................................694,550
Battle Deaths......................................................147
Other Deaths (In Theater).....................................235
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)................1,590
Non-mortal Woundings.........................................467
Living Veterans...........................................2,260,000

America's Wars Total  
U.S. Military Service During War................43,185,893

Battle Deaths................................................653,708
Other Deaths (In Theater).................................14,560
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater).............525,930
Non-mortal Woundings................................1,447,281
Living War Veterans..................................17,835,000
Living Veterans (War & Peacetime)............23,976,000

* Does not include 26,000 to 31,000 who died in Union prisons.

Source:   Department of Defense (DoD), except living veterans, which are VA estimates.  Estimates are as of September 30, 2005.

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Global War on Terror (as of Sept. 30, 2006)**
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)...............1,390,765
Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan....................185,329
Battle Deaths...................................................1,674
Other Deaths (In Theater).....................................563
Non-mortal Woundings....................................15,991
Living Veterans.............................................433,398***

** For the most current GWOT statistics, visit: http://siadapp.dior.whs.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/castop.htm

***  VA estimate does not include those still on active duty and may include veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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American Revolution	Last Veteran, Daniel F. Bakeman, died 4/5/1869, age 109 Last Widow, Catherine S. Damon, died 11/11/06, age 92 Last Dependent, Phoebe M. Palmeter, died 4/25/11, age 90
War of 1812	Last Veteran, Hiram Cronk, died 5/13/05, age 105 Last Widow, Carolina King, died 6/28/36, age unknown Last Dependent, Esther A.H. Morgan, died 3/12/46, age 89
Indian Wars	Last Veteran, Fredrak Fraske, died 6/18/73, age 101
Mexican War	Last Veteran, Owen Thomas Edgar, died 9/3/29, age 98 Last Widow, Lena James Theobald, died 6/20/63, age 89 Last Dependent, Jesse G. Bivens, died 11/1/62, age 94
Civil War	Last Union Veteran, Albert Woolson, died 8/2/56, age 109 Last Confederate Veteran, John Salling, died 3/16/58, age 112 Last Union Widow, Gertrude Janeway, died 1/17/2003, age 93
Spanish-American War	Last veteran, Nathan E. Cook, died 9/10/92, age 106

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It is estimated that the number of living World War II U.S. veterans will be:

9/30/06.....3,242,000	9/30/07.....2,889,000	9/30/08.....2,551,000	9/30/09.....2,230,000
9/30/10.....1,929,000	9/30/11.....1,649,000	9/30/12.....1,393,000	9/30/13.....1,161,000
9/30/14........954,000	9/30/15........773,000	9/30/16........616,000	9/30/17........484,000
9/30/18........373,000	9/30/19........283,000	9/30/20........210,000	9/30/21........158,000

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Veterans and Dependents on the
Compensation and Pension Rolls as of
September, 2006

	VETERANS	CHILDREN	PARENTS	SURVIVING SPOUSES
Civil War	-	3	-	-
Indian Wars	-	-	-	-
Spanish-American War	-	113	-	125
Mexican Border	-	18	-	70
World War I	9	3,831	-	7,596
World War II	429,518	15,636	227	232,745
Korean Conflict	226,467	3,423	419	61,423
Vietnam Era	1,103,561	9,819	3,614	151,507
Gulf War (1)	700,560	12,461	776	12,826
Nonservice-connected	329,856	20,362	2	186,074
Service-connected	2,725,824	28,362	6,418	313,091

(1) For compensation and pension purposes, the Persian Gulf War period has not yet been terminated and includes veterans of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

# # #

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Click on the image to visit the Veterans History Project.

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...............

Mom, What's A Veteran?
By Amanda Bennett - Copyright, 2000

And so begins our search to answer the question of the day for November 11th, "Mom, what is a veteran?" This generation of children has been unusually protected from much, if any, exposure to war and soldiers and military importance. So, when they see or hear reference to the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, they don't understand the significance or relevance to their lives. We can use this holiday as the perfect springboard to learning more about our history, our blessings, and the brave men and women who have served to protect us, and all that we hold dear.

Veterans Day - what does it mean to you?

The history of this holiday may be unknown to many of us, and yet it exists because of the strength and convictions of generations past that we should remember our veterans and their sacrifices for our peace and protection. There was a price paid for the freedom that we enjoy, and this freedom still needs our protection. While we enjoy peace, it is with an understanding that this peace has been bought with the efforts of our veterans, and this holiday can help us express our gratitude for their efforts and beliefs and sacrifices. On this holiday, we honor all of our veterans. Those in the military serve in all kinds of jobs, soldiers, doctors, nurses, pilots, engineers, astronauts, and so much more. They all work hard to protect and defend America, and we should be grateful to them all.

I heard recently that there is a shortage of military buglers to play Taps at military funerals because so many of our military veterans are passing away, particularly those from the World Wars. While our children haven't really been exposed to a "war", as we think of it, they do need an appreciation for those who have bravely served. Use this holiday to become familiar with veterans, their sacrifice and their courage. Learn more about the American military system, how it protects us today and what is happening with our defense. We should use this opportunity to learn more about the various organizations that help support out veterans, the Veterans Administra-tion (VA), the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and others.

This holiday has special significance to many members of our family as well as our friends. Though often quiet about their service, these people have a wealth of information and experience that they might be willing to share with our children about their service, training, and ideas, if asked. By learning more about the people and their participation, we can carry on the tradition and remembrance with pride.

With this holiday, let's bring out the flag and applaud our veterans. Let us teach these things to our children, so that we never take our freedom and liberty for granted. All of our veterans deserve our appreciation and remembrance. It is now the next generation's responsibility to protect and defend our country, our God-given rights, and our freedoms.

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"FALL IN" to the FReeper Foxhole!



Good Saturday Morning Everyone.

If you want to be added to our occasional ping list, let us know.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Snippy. How's it going?

Happy Veterans Day to everyone from Southwest Oklahoma.

[Northern Yankee]

Thank you!

We had a Veterans Day ceremony with our students yesterday for local veterans. It was wonderfully done.

Have a lot to be grateful for, and the veterans have made it possible. (God of course is the founder...)

One of my favorite songs I listen to at this time of the year is Mansions Of The Lord, performed by the West Point Glee Club.

The song is haunting, and the lyrics beautiful:

"The Mansions of the Lord" Words by Randall Wallace

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 bleeding no more fight No prayers pleading through the night just divine embrace, eternal light in the mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry and no children weep We will stand and guard tho the angels sleep All through the ages safely keep the mansions of the Lord

[lysie]

For the first time in 14 years, the city of Syracuse (NY) will once again have a Veterans Day Parade! :-)

[snippy_about_it]

(((Hugs)))Good morning E.G.C. It's a cool, foggy morning here in southern Georgia today. Things are great.

[Tax-chick]

Thanks for the ping - I'll look for words and notes on Google later.

I usually read selections of World War I poetry to the kids on Veterans' Day, and in the evening, we watch "The Lost Battalion" with the older ones.

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you. I'll have to try to find the music for that song.

[Northern Yankee]

Yay!

Good Morning.

[snippy_about_it]

Good for Syracuse. I hope there is a huge turnout.

[Northern Yankee]

Here you go!

http://compuball.com/av/mansionsofthelord.htm

[NonValueAdded]

Thank you, veterans, for your service to our country and the cause of freedom. We honor you not only today but every day. God Bless you.

[Northern Yankee]

Try this again:

http://compuball.com/av/mansionsofthelord.htm

[Tax-chick]

Marvellous! Now I just need a score so I can play it on the piano :-).

While I'm here, do any of you know if there's a program to send Thanksgiving and Christmas cards to the soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital? I remember doing this last year, but don't know if it's possible this year.

[Soaring Feather]

Veteran's Day 2006


To the young, to the aging, Veterans of many wars,
Thank You for your service.
Your scars, some visible, some not seen.
Your medals earned for valiant deeds, held high in esteem.
Your shed tears on bloodied battle grounds
known to you and you alone.


Parades are held to honor you and rightfully so,
your heads held high, with honor we bestow
the fight for freedom to continue throughout the lands.
You answered the call to go, and with gratitude Veteran,
Old Glory stills flies o'er this land.


Soaring Feather
11/10/06

[Northern Yankee]

I will see what I can find for you.

I love that song, and cried when it was played at Ronald Reagan's funeral. I still tear up whenever I hear it. (Just did...)

As a veteran I can't help but think of all those veterans who gave the full measure of devotion on Veterans Day. I think most vets feel that way.

God Bless our troops!