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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[ArmyBratCutie]

well I just cried and cried.....thank you JAJoe... I would hope everyone would be so kind to our armed forces .. he is lucky to know you.....
and we are lucky to know you too :)

[ArmyBratCutie]

thank you so much for helping me honor my Daddy today Billie :)

[Aquamarine]

We need to put your dad's photo in our veterans' group, don't we?

Please do, he would have loved Free Republic.

[ArmyBratCutie]

gosh, Welcome Home CheneyChick and God Bless and Keep you :)

[austingirl]

Thanks and gratitude and prayers for all of our brave veterans.

[Billie]

From this thread, heartbreaking photos from Fallujah: (thank you for the ping, JRBC)

Any War Day in Iraq (Photos)

[Billie]

A lump in my throat, tears in my eyes. What an amazing story.

[Billie]

Hi, Meekie - Dutchess did the thread for today, but was called to Florida; her mom passed away unexpectedly over the weekend, and she's bringing her dad back to Ohio with her today.

[Billie]

Good afternoon, tulip - a most regal eagle you posted. America is beautiful!

[Just another Joe]

The thing that amazed that Marine was that we DIDN'T know each other and someone that didn't know him was willing to take him into their home, even for a short time.

I wish people would stop to think how they would feel if it was themselves in our military peoples shoes.

[ArmyBratCutie]

a sorta sad thing too Joe, when I was little, we never went on any trips, but what my parents stopped and picked up any soldier/sailor/ whatever and give them a ride if they saw them hitchhiking, and most times my Daddy would take them on to whereever they were headed and then we'd go on our way.......now people are so afraid of that...
and think of that guy on his leave and you made him so welcome and all.....you and your wife are so kind... I'd hope I would do the same thing if I saw the need :))

[Billie]

You do know that we all want to give *you* and your wife a big group hug for what you and your family did for this Marine who's on his way back to Fallujah! Thank you - you're not "Just another Joe" in our book!

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you for this beautiful thread, Billie and Dutchess. The Tributes throughout everyone's posts are beautiful, too.

Praying for our Lord's Comfort to surround You during this time, dear Dutchess.

[Diver Dave]

Hi Billie. Actually the hat that Christian is wearing is a WWI campaign hat that my great-uncle wore.

Here's some pics from our parade this morning...

ROTC Saber Unit

Veterans Day Gathering

Purple Heart Members

[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.

It really is an Honor.

[MeekOneGOP]

Oh, my. Poor thing. :^(

[JustAmy]

Billie ... thank you for posting today's thread remembering our veterans.

Dutchess ... please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God hold you in his loving embrace during your time of grief.

Father, please comfort and bless Dutchess and her family.

[Billie]

Hi, Amy! We just crossed paths! I think I posted at Amy's almost the very same time you posted here!

[JustAmy]

Great minds.

[luvie]

Well, that picture of our wonderful GW just about made me cry! The love and appreciation that he has for our brave service personnel just shows in everthing he does! God be with our brave ones as they fight for us all over the world, but especially, right now, the ones that are taking the bullets for us in Iraq! They deserve our love and thanks!! And on this day, God bless all the ones who have gone before these young ones, who have kept us safe and kept us who we are, the greatest country in the World!!!

THANK YOU VETS FOR ALL YOU DO!!!