A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-11,12,13-05....Veterans Day ~ Honoring Veterans Everywhere

Billie

[Billie]

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 holidiay 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.

Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WW II and Korea, Congress was requested to make this day 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.

We as Americas owe much to the brave men and women who have fought to preserve our freedom, and though we are thankful every day for their sacrifice, two special days have been set aside to honor them each year:

• Memorial Day honors the American Military who have died in their service for the country.
  
  
• Veterans Day is to appreciate all who have served their country, both alive and dead.

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.

Every year the President of the United States urges All Americans to honor the commitment of our Veterans through appropriate public ceremonies. 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.

God Bless our veterans on this day and all others. We owe you our gratitude and our respect, for without you America would not be the strong and free country we know and love.

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-07-05 Military Monday 11-08,09-05 A "Left" Fantasy ~ Kerry Won! 11-10-05 Smithsonian Bling Blings

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Billie]

God is looking for ordinary people to do extraordinary work.

I think our Military fits that description very well. :)

[DollyCali]

This is going to be a wonderful thread! I was working on a post for here & it became a "monster" so I posted it as a separate thread. Did ping a few of you there but for others who are interested (IT IS MOVIES/HOLLYWOOD) come on over here to:

Veteran Hollywood Stars

[Billie]

Wow! Billie, your presentation and tribute to our Veterans is beautiful.

Thank you, Colleen. I think all here know how important our military is and how much we appreciate them. I appreciate *you*, too!

[Billie]

Good morning, Mrs. N. Glad to see you here today with this prettiest of your tables. :)

[Billie]

What a neat tribute today, GBU! Am wondering if those veterans' pictures are freepers or someone you know?

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Thank you Billie.

Unfortunately I can't stay have to get ready for work,but I will check in tonight if I am not to tired.

Have a wonderful day Billie and Happy Veterans day.

{{HUGS}}

[Billie]

An absolutely beautiful tribute thread to our Heroes. Thank you Billie. You and FR Finest, always do such an incredible job. :)

I hope you know how nice it is to hear that; all of us do spend a lot of time with our openings, because we enjoy creating - thank you for your sweet compliments. They are appreciated. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Thanks :). I'm not certain who they are, except something lovely someone made of some of our Heroes. ;)

[Billie]

Beautiful Post with such intricate detail. It's obviously a work of love.

Thank you, Aqua, and it really was. Hey, *yours* from yesterday was a hard act to follow!!!! :)

[Billie]

Oh, I like that one! Had not seen it before, and yours were the last two Veterans Day threads posted here! :)

[Billie]

Each star is cast individually and is slightly different from the rest. At the base of the stars is a pool representing the tears of a nation...and the words - "Here we mark the price of freedom".

That's the first time I've seen that picture of the WWII Memorial, Aqua. Thanks for posting it, and dressing it up with the blue stars. :) So sad the numbers of brave soldiers who gave up their lives throughout the years for our country, for our freedom, for *us*.

[Billie]

Absolutely beautiful thread today sistah. Love the background, pictures and sentiment.

Thank you, sistah. Thought it time to change the backgrounds after two years. The text pretty much remains the same, doesn't it? :)

Found the picture I just posted in my files....unfortunately at work (without my "cheatsheet" to frame it!)

Well, you can always highlight one on the thread, right-click, and do a "view partial source" and copy it from there. :)

[Billie]

Thanks for remembering your red dresses today. :)

[luvie]

You're welcome!

Is FR just a little slow today. Seems to be to me.

[Billie]

Thanks, Dolly - took a look at it - you always do great research! That's the part I dislike the most in putting together my openings, unfortunately. :( I just want to *make pretty*. Or cute. :)

[Billie]

I will check in tonight if I am not to tired.

Hope you can return. :)

[Billie]

I'm not certain who they are, except something lovely someone made of some of our Heroes. ;)

Yes, it is something lovely. :)

[Billie]

Is FR just a little slow today. Seems to be to me.

Hmmmm, I haven't noticed it being slower.

[Aquamarine]

So sad the numbers of brave soldiers who gave up their lives throughout the years for our country, for our freedom, for *us*.

If you do the math it's 4000 gold stars for the more than 400,000 killed!

If I get the time I'd like to expand on this with an excerpt from a speech given by John Ashcroft recently about the War on Terror in comparison to WWII. Can't find a link to the speech so will have to hand type it which can take some time to do.

[DollyCali]