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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-11-04....Thank You, Veterans
Dutchess
Posted on 11/11/2004 5:48:14 AM PST by 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.
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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...
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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
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![](http://www.d21c.com/billie/FRfinest/FreeperPhotoAlbum.jpg)
Click on the photo to view the album. To submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man at danbh59@yahoo.com and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.
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![](http://www.d21c.com/billie/FRfinest/FinestHallofFame.jpg)
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: freepers; fun; military; patriotic; surprises; veterans
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To: Hat-Trick
Hat-Trick, I'm just getting back to the thread after taking a long break. Your poem is just beautiful. Many thanks for sharing it with all of us. Thank you for your service in the USCG from 1980 - 86.
61
posted on
11/11/2004 11:35:43 AM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: The Mayor
Good afternoon thank you for your service, Rus. (Saw the 'coffee' picture you posted yesterday - so glad you found it!) :)
62
posted on
11/11/2004 11:37:02 AM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: GAAQ
Hello! I see you are new to FR and thank you for visiting the Finest on your first day. Hope to see you again. :)
63
posted on
11/11/2004 11:38:39 AM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: Billie
64
posted on
11/11/2004 11:40:41 AM PST
by
GAAQ
To: The Mayor
What a great post! Enjoyed it. Very powerful moment for the troops on that plane, getting to meet the President personally.
65
posted on
11/11/2004 11:42:29 AM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: Billie
Thanks Billie, but can't take credit for those words. The are the lyrics to a great song, called "The Mansions of The Lord". "The Mansions of the Lord" was written by Nick Glennie-Smith, with words by Randall Wallace, for the 2002 film We Were Soldiers, starring Mel Gibson. The movie version was by the United States Military Academy Glee Club and Metro Voices and is on the original soundrack. Also, it was played at the end of President Reagan's funeral service in the National Cathedral. It's a great song, done like the great, older hymms of year's past, with a great message.
66
posted on
11/11/2004 11:44:29 AM PST
by
Hat-Trick
(Do you trust a government that cannot trust you with guns?)
To: Gabz
In Flanders Fields
![](http://www.d21c.com/billie/gifs/poppy.gif)
Always brings tears to my eyes.
67
posted on
11/11/2004 12:27:27 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: Temple Owl
Thank you for the beautiful post. It is much appreciated. As are you, Finest Owl.
68
posted on
11/11/2004 12:30:08 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: Aeronaut
Good afternoon, Aeronaut - good to see you way up there in the wild blue yonder.
69
posted on
11/11/2004 12:31:48 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: dutchess
I shared todays thread and they were "amazed". Dad was so proud to say "my daughter did this" I'm so glad to hear that he shared his pride in you with his friends. Hope you are safely home by now.
70
posted on
11/11/2004 12:33:27 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: Aquamarine
Hi, Aqua - just now getting to your post from this morning. We need to put your dad's photo in our veterans' group, don't we?
71
posted on
11/11/2004 12:35:06 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: dansangel
Your tribute is just beautiful, Dansy. (Do we have all of them in our veteran's groups?)
72
posted on
11/11/2004 12:37:55 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: Billie; The Mayor; Diver Dave; Aquamarine; WVNan; deadhead; All
Hi everybody.
To: Mama_Bear
Afternoon, Lori. I agree. The tributes on your thread yesterday and those here today are heartwarming and also very emotional. I hope all veterans know how much their service and dedication mean to us.
I love what you did with this graphic - I think I remember the photo from an earlier thread. (I think. :) Memorial Day maybe?)
74
posted on
11/11/2004 12:45:00 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick; ST.LOUIE1
Good afternoon, Jersey Republican Biker Chick! Nice long screen name! :) Careful or our wolfie will be asking you to go for a spin with him on his bike. :)
Nice to have you here today, and a special thank you remembrance to your WW II grandfather from us, too.
75
posted on
11/11/2004 12:48:29 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: ArmyBratCutie; dansangel; .45MAN
danbh59@yahoo.com
that was the only email I found...isnt it the right one??
thanks :)
Just pinging Dan and Dansy to let them know that you and I have gotten the email addy all worked out, and the photo you sent them is for the veteran group, rather than the Freeper Photo Album.
76
posted on
11/11/2004 12:51:00 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: MEG33
Cspan now showing Arlington Veterans Day ceremonies. Thanks for that heads up, Meg. Hope some of the others got to watch it. :)
77
posted on
11/11/2004 12:52:07 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: granite
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.
78
posted on
11/11/2004 12:54:37 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: bunches
My son Mike, Port Security Unit, USCG, stationed in Kuwait is coming home in ONE month!!! What wonderful news, bunches. What a joyful reunion you are going to have!
79
posted on
11/11/2004 12:56:57 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
To: Diver Dave
Oh, look how cute they are in yours and Don's 'hats'!
80
posted on
11/11/2004 12:59:02 PM PST
by
Billie
(Thanks and credit to DUCTCHESS for today's thread. I only posted it FOR her.)
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