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.

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[Mama_Bear]

I'd like to thank all here and let them know that these posts do mean allot to many of us vets.

I'm glad to know that, and you are welcome!

[MEG33]

Beautiful tributes here

[Conspiracy Guy]

Yes I read through it yesterday.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

DONE!

[Billie]

T.G.I.F. at the Finest

[Billie]

I just wanted to come back and read the posts I missed when I left last night. Love the parade pics!

[Billie]

The time it must have taken to paint those remarkable images and words just boggles my mind. I had not seen the POW/veterans rock before now.

It really is an Honor.

Are you the artist who painted the rock, or someone you know did it? It is awesome. :)

[Billie]

I seem to miss you on the threads lately, but wanted to say hello and to thank you for being here. I do read "My Comments" and see that you have been here. Also saw where you had checked out the Hall of Fame link the other day. :)

[Billie]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine, and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin..........niece, loved one Pippin...nephew & his fiancee weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew StarCMC......................brother ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons Spruce.....................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews Rose inRoseBear...cousin's hubby bjcintennessee.......son, niece Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................active duty LongCut..................active duty cjk............................active duty Trish.......................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue..................active duty Notwithstanding.....active duty thumperusn.............active duty Q6-God.....................active duty Q6-God...................twin brother Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...............active duty wingnutx......................active duty

Maigrey................cousin WVNan..............friend's son ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear.........2 nephews gator girl............husband severa.......husband, brother Hostel..................cousin MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA........................son katykelly.................son cookcounty..............son SpookBrat...nephew, cousin Doug from Upland...son-in-law Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Tiffee4Bob.......boyfriend deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews TexKat..............son, step-son Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel.....................niece Donaeus...................nephew dixie sass...............nephew BeAllYouCanBe............son Repubmommy...............brother AgThorn...................2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles......................son Redhead....step-granddaughter Redhead..step-grdaughter fiance Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...nephew Atomic Conspiracy...niece Sunflowergal.........grandson visualops.................cousin Alouette.......................son mrstank.......................husband MrsMike31..................husband eaglesiniowa.................son auboy.........................cousin spotbust1....................husband Leofl................................son chena................................son campfollower................fiance

[Billie]

Maggie, I missed you last night, too. Have to agree with you on those two photos that dutchess chose for her opening. They are especially moving.

[Billie]

I'm so glad you posted your family of veterans - the Navy has played a very important part in your life - is it a coincidence that both sides (yours and JK's) are NAVY?!

[Billie]

Very late saying hello to you, but knew you would be here to honor veterans. Lots of wonderful sentiments will be archived on this thread.

[Billie]

This is such a beautiful thread today. I shed quite a few tears just looking back on this. Seems like I've had a lump in my throat all day.

Thank you, Texagirl. I know you read that dutchess created this beautiful tribute to our Veterans. It was a very moving day yesterday. :)

[granite]

I can only take creit for the post. The artist is in the photo and I would hope someone will send him here for his proper recognition and kudos.

[JulieRNR21]

Thanks so much for posting the 'Response' poem. I had not heard of it.

Blessings.............Julie

[scubachick]

As usual, I am running behind, but this thread made me cry, so I had to keep leaving and coming back. We are so proud of Granddad, and my grandfather. Thanks for a beautiful thread!

[austingirl]

I offer my daily thanks and prayers for our troops.

[Colt .45]

Being a veteran I found this, which I feel sums it all up -

Remember who guards your freedom

I want you to close your eyes and picture in your mind the soldier at Valley Forge, as he holds his musket in his bloody hands.

He stands barefoot in the snow, starved from lack of food, wounded from months of battle and emotionally scarred from the eternity away from his family surrounded by nothing but death and carnage of war.

He stands tough, with fire in his eyes and victory on his breath. He looks at us now in anger and disgust and tells us this...

I gave you a birthright of freedom born in the Constitution and now your children graduate too illiterate to read it.

I fought in the snow barefoot to give you the freedom to vote and you stay at home because it rains.

I left my family destitute to give you the freedom of speech and you remain silent on critical issues, because it might be bad for business.

I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you and it has stolen democracy from the people.

It's the U. S. Serviceman
not the reporter who gives you the freedom of the press.

It's the U.S. Serviceman
not the poet who gives you the freedom of speech.

It's the U.S. Serviceman
not the campus organizer who allows you to demonstrate.

It's the U.S. Serviceman who
salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag, who made it possible for the protester to burn the flag!!!

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need."

- author unknown

Its time to reverse the damage that has been done to this society by the leftist. Time to rid ourselves of the bondage of Political Correctness. Time to fire judges who legislate from the bench. Time to tell the multitude of special interest groups that they are just average citizens like the rest of us, not deserving of preferential treatment. Time to take back the education of our children and teach them American history and the Founders' values. Discipline and a ggod moral compass. Those are the things I fought for, equal treatment under the law, limited government and the first 14 Amendments to the Bill of Rights.

[Gabz]

I can add no more.........except......

Thank you for what you've done and are doing for our great nation.

God Bless you and yours.