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!

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[Alamo-Girl]

PRAISE GOD!!! Thanks for the ping!

[bunches]

"Mansions of the Lord" is the most beautiful song in words and music I've ever heard. Upon hearing the first note and verse of it, my tears flow - every time.

God Bless You on this veterans day.

My son Mike, Port Security Unit, USCG, stationed in Kuwait is coming home in ONE month!!!

As you can imagine, his family is ecstatic. Please pray for his safe return.

Have a wonderful day!

Bunches. "Coastie Mom"

[Diver Dave]

Beautiful Thread Billie and dutchess. Thank you.

Two of my buddies dropping by to salute our veterans...

Thank You Veterans

[Gabz]

Yes, today's soldier is tomorrow's Veteran.

I have to share this story with all the Finest, from a thread yesterday. I wish to salute FReeper Just another Joe, a veteran and dear friend for the kindness he showed to a soldier this week.

---

Gotta tell you folks about this.
I was at the airport last night to pick my wife up. She's been in the PI for a month and a half.
Got to talking to a young Marine. Seems like he had a 36 hour layover in KC and the airline had sent his duffle bag ot Cancoun, Mexico. It had everything in it. His clothes, his money, his ATM and credit cards.
The airline gave him a couple of the small pillows and a couple of the thin airline blankets and told him they would have his duffle to him about 2:00 PM the next day. His next flight didn't leave until 11:00 PM.
I asked him if he would take some help if it was offered. He said sure.
I told him that we would stick around to pick up my wife and then he could come home with us, stay the night, eat a couple of good meals, and I would take him back to the airport the next day.

You should have seen the look of increduality on his face!
He said to me, "You don't know me. Why would you offer to do that for me?"
I just said that I had been in the military, been stuck in airports with no luggage, and wished that someone had done it for me.

He came home with us and slept the night. He's at my house right now with my wife feeding him up nicely with some Italian beef sandwiches, pepperincinis, and iced tea.

He's headed back to Fallujah. He had 12 days leave after 14 months in Iraq.

I figure it's the least I could do for one of our servicemen.


41 posted on 11/10/2004 12:00:27 PM EST by Just another Joe (Warning: FReeping can be addictive and helpful to your mental health)

---

Thank you JaJ

[MeekOneGOP]

Yes. Thank you, Vets.

[Mama_Bear]

Now see, Gabz, I KNEW that it wouldn't be long before I got all teary over something. Your post did it! *sniff*

That was touching, thanks for sharing Just another Joe's story.

[tuliptree76]

Happy Veteran's Day

[Gabz]

*sniff* is right.

I could barely see through the tears trying to respond to him yesterday and searching for it this morning caused me to tear up all over again.

And that was right after I had finally stopped being teary from reading Cheney Chick's FReepmail to Billie.

I think I need to get away from the computer a while.......

[Just another Joe]

Update to that story, Gabz.

The airline called and told him that they didn't know where his duffel was at all.
I took him to the military surplus and got him a set of Marine desert digital BDUs so that he wouldn't show up in Iraq wearing his class Ds with shiny shoes.

I just find it hard to believe that the airline would treat a military member like this, especially considering that he's heading BACK to Fallujah.

We got him to the airport last night and hope, and pray, that he get's where he's going all right.

I'm just glad we could leave him with the memory of a family willing to help him rather than a memory of an airline that didn't care if they scre*ed him.

[Mama_Bear]

Two of my buddies dropping by to salute our veterans...

So cute....and they are growing up fast!

[Gabz]

I'm just glad we could leave him with the memory of a family willing to help him rather than a memory of an airline that didn't care if they scre*ed him.

So am I.

I can't believe the airline would be so cavalier in their treatment. Sheesh.

[Diver Dave]

Welcome Home CC. Thank you and your comrades for your service.
We need to freep together again. :)

[Mama_Bear]

I had no idea you were in Afghanistan, CheneyChick! Shortly after meeting you at the Gary Condit freeps, I lost track of you.

Here's a flashback for you.....

Thank you for your service, CC, and welcome home. BTW, you looked maaaavalous yesterday!

[MP5SD]

If we are marked to die, we are now To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honor. God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive. No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England: God's peace! I would not lose so great an honor As one man more, methinks, would share from me For the best hope I have. Oh, do not wish one more! Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host, That he which hath no stomach to this fight,

Let him depart; his passport shall be made And crowns for convoy put into his purse: We would not die in that man's company That fears his fellowship to die with us. This day is called the feast of Crispian: He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named, And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors, And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian: Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars. And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day. Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages What feats he did that day: then shall our names. Familiar in his mouth as household words Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester, Be in their flowing cups freshly remembered.

This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition: And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhood's cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

Henry V, Act 4, Scene 3

[Mama_Bear]

Bless you, Just another Joe. Gabz told us what you did. You are a good guy. :-)

[Just another Joe]

I'll take the blessing but I didn't do it for me, I did it for him.

One of those, "Been there, done that", deals.

[jwfiv]

Thank you, Billie ... a wonderful tribute to our Armed Forces.

May the Lord always bless them and the Nation they defend.

[GailA]

Good afternoon ALL this will be my only post today. My service provider is down and of course their Tech is NOT in today. So I'm at the library. They only give you 1 hour.

GOD bless our Veterans today.

[DollyCali]

worth your time to go to this thread & see this video..

wonderful

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1277496/posts?page=1

[Hat-Trick]

Every Friday morning, several of us meet at church for prayer and coffee. Tomorrow, we will include Mike, his safety and safe return home in our prayers.

There is a great site on the web, for Coastie's past and present. If you haven't heard of it, the URL is http://www.fredsplace.org

Thanks for your kind words. FRegards,

Hat-Trick