A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-10,11,12-06....Honoring Veterans Everywhere

November 10, 2006 | 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.

10-01-06 ~ Hall of Fame #17

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-06-06 Military Monday 11-07-06 I Pledge Allegiance 11-08-06 Warm Fuzzy Wednesday 11-09-06 Putting things wildly in perspective

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

[DollyCali]

Great Pix as usual from you kind sir. Thank you

[.30Carbine]

Thank you both for your posts. Praise God for beauty! For living water! For the rainbow!

May the good Lord bless and keep you...

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://www.goldencorral.com/images/specialMilAppDay.jpg

URL of Golden Corral free feed!

[MEG33]

Thank you ,Dolly..It is a great comfort to me.

[MEG33]

Thank you for the beautiful blessing!

[MEG33]

God Bless Our Veterans..Thank you Golden Corral!

[The Mayor]

November 12, 2006

A Fortified House

READ: Matthew 7:15-27

The floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall. —Matthew 7:25 According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, some people in the US are building houses stronger than ever before.

Hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes have caused billions of dollars in property damage in states across the nation. So, at the urging of businesses, government, and hard-pressed insurance companies, some builders are constructing fortress-like homes with windows that can withstand 130 mile-per-hour winds, roof nails so strong they can only be cut off, and framing material that can weather the tremendous forces faced by a supersonic jet. In Bolingbrook, Illinois, a community damaged by a tornado in the 1990s, a company is constructing such a “fortified” house in hopes that the idea will catch on.

We who know the Lord Jesus realize that when it comes to building our spiritual foundation, it must be strong and secure. In today’s Scripture, Christ made it clear what that foundation must be when He referred to “these sayings of Mine” (Matt. 7:24), which included His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7).

When we receive by faith Christ’s words and His work on our behalf, our spiritual lives are “founded on the Rock,” Christ Jesus. —David C. Egner

I do not stand on shifting sand
And fear the storm that rages;
But calm and sure, I stand secure
Upon the Rock of Ages.  —Anon.

To survive the storms of life, be anchored to the Rock of Ages.

Bible in One Year:   Jeremiah 51-52; Hebrews 9

[MEG33]

I do not stand on shifting sand And fear the storm that rages; But calm and sure, I stand secure Upon the Rock of Ages. —Anon.

To survive the storms of life, be anchored to the Rock of Ages.

Amen..Thank you always for our Daily Bread, Mayor.

[Majie Purple]

[MEG33]

One of my Sunday blessings!

I had 4 Robins get a drink of water on my patio.

[Billie]

Have a beautiful Sunday, Finest FReepers.

[Billie]

Hi, Bob,
I remember that poem so well from Amy's Place and wish that I had saved the graphic before customizing it for AP, but this is a lovely seat, and love the words of the poem.

[Billie]

Thank you for supplying that link to Reveille, Dick. I went there to watch it, hoping it would be 3 or 4 minutes at the most, but I can't handle the longer videos with my connection. Know it was really great once opened fully though.

[Billie]

Just wanted to say hello, onyx, since I didn't get back to answer pings Friday or Saturday. Hope you've had a wonderful weekend.

[NicknamedBob]

Hi, Billie!

I've been trying to keep a list of links. It's currently sixteen pages. I update it now and then, and there are some errors. It refers back, usually, to the original posting.

If you have a reference you need, let me know.

If you're really a glutton for punishment, I can send you the list.

[Billie]

"So Many Crosses"...... another wonderful one from a couple of years ago. Thanks for posting it again on this thread.

[Billie]

Thanks, sistah!

I can't help but think of LadyX as I looked through your thread. I'm sure she's smiling down from heaven.

I thought of her, too, dutchess. I think of her often.

[Billie]

One more and I'll stop being a thread-hog. *G*

Not to worry! We're happy to see those posts, Star. :)

[Billie]

Saying hello on Sunday since I didn't get back to your post Friday. :)

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://www.gyrene.com/songbook.htm

Lyrics of some good Gyrene songs at above URL.
One is here, It reminds me of the Alamo.

Wake Island sung by Oscar Brand
circa WWII

December the seventh we heard about Pearl,
We knew we'd be next on the list.
The men of our Corps, four fifty, no more
All swore to the death to resist.


Chorus:

Wake Island, Wake Island,
It's not even marked on the maps
Our Corps raised her name to honor and fame
When they stopped the advance of the Japs.
Cut off from supplies with no hope of aid
We sighted the first Japanese,
With thousands of troops and a task force of ships
They thought they could take us with ease.

They sent in their subs, their ships and their planes
They shelled us by day and by night,
Surrender they said, we laughed at their threats
We're only beginning to fight.

Our four hundred fifty cost six thousand Japs
Our fighters downed twenty eight planes,
We sank two destroyers and one submarine
Six others got shelled for their pains.

Our plan was to fight to the very last man
But Deveraux gave this command,
There's a thousand civilians I can't sacrifice
We'll have to surrender our band.

Yes, we lay down our arms on the twenty-third day
The Japs cheered the news of defeat.
But they could not believe a few crummy Marines
Had stopped the whole Japanese fleet.