A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day...11-11-03....A Tribute to Our Veterans Past and Present...

Dutchess and Billie

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_bear, dansangel, Dutchess, Aquamarine

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 11-10-03 Military Monday

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 danangel or .45man at danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[dutchess]

What a special anniversary date. My grandparents (polish immigrants) were married on July 4th which had very special meaning to them.

[Billie]

To the veterans in your families, we salute you!

[kellynla]

You are quite welcome. I was proud to serve. And may I take this opportunity to remember my father who was a WWI veteran who if not for him and the many hundreds of thousands more, the French would be speaking German today. And my oldest brother, a Korean War veteran. May they rest in peace. God bless them all. Semper Fi

[Dubya]

Thanks Billie. I'm doing OK. I havn,t had much time to be on the PC. We have had a lot of rain here and Starband is not so good if there is a cloud in the sky.

[Dubya]

Good to be here, thank you.

[dutchess]

Thank you carlo3b. It is so nice to see our veterans get the recognition and respect that they deserve.

[dutchess]

Kayak. A beautiful picture of the tomb of the unknown soldier. Thank you.

[dutchess]

Hi Coleen...That's a lovely tribute to your relatives...

[dutchess]

Ladtx. Thank you for keeping the memories of your fellow fallen. God bless their loved ones. And wonderful news about Jeff being home. You must be very proud of he and Brian.

[dutchess]

That's a beautiful poem and picture you posted Cal.

[ladtx]

We are very proud of Brian and Jeff. They have always called me on Veterans Day and thanked me for my service, well tonight I'll turn the tables on them and try to call them first and thank them.

[dutchess]

"God bless America...Death to Her Enemies."

Amen...

[dutchess]

Hi Temple.

Mayor...you posted a beautiful graphic. Thankyou.

[Donaeus]

(((Thanks dansangel!)))

I just realized I forgot one!! Joe - US Navy who just returned from a year at sea.

Our Vets are the best!!

[dutchess]

Donaeus. So Glad to see you here today.

Sistahs. Need to run. God bless our military men and women past and present.

[Diver Dave]

Afternoon Ladies.
Sorry, no pics yet - roll of film still in the camera. Got a Kodak moment with our grandson at school today. A really neat presentation by the K-4 classes honoring Veterans in verse and song.

At the conclusion of the program, they had all the dads and grandfathers and in one case a great-grandfather veterans gather around the stage area for a photo shoot. All but the great-grandfather were in uniform and he wore a cap from the USS Bullpens. Two guys in flight suits and the rest in dress uniforms.

Next came the parade downtown. I got there a little early and mingled and greeted my fellow vets. Again, I was in my Dress Blues. A fellow from the American Legion asked me to join him on the stage. Best seat in the house as I looked out on the faces of about 200 veterans. The American Legion, VFW, GI Forum, DAV, VietNam Veterans Assoc., Korean War Vets, the Purple Heart Chapter groups were well represented. Shook hands and thanked all I came in contact with as well as tellin' em "Welcome Home, brother."

An aquaintance from church sang the Nation Anthem and God Bless America - a cappella. Good thing I brought a handkerchief to wipe the tears. He did a beautiful job.

At the conclusion, as I mingled once again, I was asked to participate in the program portion of the candle-light vigil tonight. Soooo, I'll have to suck in my gut again tonight as I button those thirteen buttons on my trousers. :)

Not sure when I'll have pics. May have to wait for Military Monday next week.

I'll bid y'all farewell for the time being. I'm gonna go spend some quality time with my favorite Navy Wife.

[dansangel]

Our Vets are the best!!

***Amen***!

[Billie]

Good afternoon, Donaeus - I'm not sure I'm 'mingling' enough today, but trying! :)

[Billie]

Afternoon! I agree, Aqua - there have been so many wonderful and moving posts and graphics today - and on the P & P thread, too! What a fantastic bunch FReepers are! The Finest. :)

[Billie]

Hey, you! I thought your paws would be raw today, along with that knee, after all your posting yesterday. :)