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.

[Dubya]

Good luck and I am praying for you.
DUB

[Dubya]

NEW HOLE IN WINDOWS AND IE

BEST TO UPDATE RIGHT AWAY.
DUB

[Dubya]

It's an honor to pass this on

I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.

A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen,"

When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea

Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.

Enjoy Your Freedom & God Bless Our Troops

Show Your Support Send This Page Along Today

[LadyX]

Trying hard to read through the thread, and just had to pause right here on your touching gesture, FreeTheHostages....

Last night when I tried to post a long reply on FR, it reverted to "Cannot Find Server," and then trying e-mail, that said they could not connect to my ISP!
In frustration, I had to cease trying, and am just now on briefly, having a busy week, and won't have time to finish this thread.

Dutchess, your presentation is just beautiful, and all the tributes and jokes and warm interactions here on The Finest bring a wonderful feeling.

Thank all of you so very much....

[Mama_Bear]

*****Breathtaking**** Mama_bear!

Awwww.....thank you. :-)

I wish I had a picture of my dad like that. I would like to try superimposing it over the flag. I do have a couple that would work well but they haven't been scanned.

Anyway, I love playing in photoshop.

[Mama_Bear]

((((((Maggie)))))), been thinking about you a lot today. So nice to see you here. :-)

[Libertina]

Happy Veteran's Day FR's Finest

I just returned from taking my Dad and Mom out for a Verteran's Day dinner. (Dad was a Marine figher pilot in WWII) Sitting next to us in the diner near Ft. Lewis was a Sargeant Major eating and Dad picked up his check. It was a great evening, after a great day of flag waving on our Bridge, Outpost 122. I and other patriots got to send off a young soldier who is shipping out to Iraq tomorrow. I have missed the Finest thread and just stopped in to say hello, unfortunately I've got a headache and am going to go lie down. Take care everyone and thank you America's Vets and families for all you do! May God watch over us, protect and guide us all. Bring our troops back home safe and sound.

[The Mayor]

Good night to the Finest!

[Dubya]

Good to hear from you.

[LadyX]

This Marine *SALUTES* you, and all military and veterans.

Prayers for each of you...you helped make America the great country it is.

* * * SEMPER FI * * *

[WVNan]

I guess most everyone has gone to bed, and I plan on heading that way myself, but I want to pay tribute to all the veterans and say "THANK YOU" for your sacrifice and devotion to freedom and country.

[WVNan]

Hi Gator. I just answered you e-mail. Havent' been home long after going out for dinner.

[Dubya]

Thanks Marine. Your the kind of a Marine that makes the Corps great.

[Dubya]

Thank you. I love the picture.
I'm off to bed.
Good night all.

[Donaeus]

Dutchess, it was a great day to be here! But I think every day is a great one to be a FReeper. :)

Take care, hope to visit with you soon.

Pray for our Nation Psalms 33:12
God Bless our Troops, forever and always.

[Donaeus]

I tried to mingle too but I seemed to miss! Though seeing some of the posts has been so emotional perhaps it was best to have a day of quiet reflection.

Thank you for saluting my Vets, I proudly salute yours! I've loved seeing all your posts and graphics on the thread. I must really get a webpage so I have server space for my own graphics.

"Honor to the soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause." --Abraham Lincoln

[Donaeus]

Good evening! Are ya'll still here?

[dixie sass]

Hugs, Lady X and thank you, Cuzzzzzzzzzzzz, for your Service!

[dixie sass]

(The following is etched on the Ellis County Veterans Memorial in Waxahachie, Texas along with ("POW/MIA")
AND, THEY WERE THERE, TOO

Not enough credit given, to mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, Some too, who gave their all, the best years of their lives.

There's some, wore a uniform, of one of the military "branches" And like all of those men, taken some deadly chances.

Some were in the U.S.O., brought a little taste of home, With smalltalk, donuts, coffee, where'er the troops would roam.

There was "Rosie the Riveter," who fought her own war here.

And the nurses that eased the pain, and tried to ease the fear.

There were women pilots, who put their lives on the line, Said, "Send me where you will. That suits me, just fine!"

Those who stayed at home, to raise their families,
Who gave all, went without, realizing harsh realities.
So many of those women, who gave so much more
Than they were asked to, during each and every war.
We honor those, upon this stone, and give our humble "Thanks"
To those who served with honor, in our country's wartime ranks.

[MistyCA]

I agree. What a wonderful idea. Let's see if I can name all of them from my family. I am very proud of their participation in the defense of our country.

Great uncle Axel - WWI Army
Great uncle Eddie - WWI Army
Great uncle Art - WWI Army
(I think 4 of my great uncles went to war, but I am not sure which ones, yet)
Uncle George - WWII Army
Dad - WWII Navy
FIL - WWII Navy and Army
Cousin Sonny - Army
Uncle Ralph - WWII + Coast Guard Auxiliary
Aunt Bee - WWII + Coast Guard Auxiliary
Brother Jim - Navy Disabled Vietnam Vet
Husband - Vietnam Air Force
Son in Law Matt - Navy
Son in Law Joe - Marines
Nephew James - Marines and Army
Niece Christie - Navy
Brother in Law Joey - Army (Retired)
Second Cousin Lawrence - Army (Retired)