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!

[NicknamedBob]

Keep reading.

[NicknamedBob]

... and You're Welcome! Of course!

[jaycee]

Just watched the whole program celebrating the "Marine Corps. Birthday" and dedication to the new museum. It was on C-span and I lucked up on it when I was just surfing. Our President gave a wonderful speech, the crowds loved him, and he was really choked up at the end of his speech but managed to pull himself together. Love him to death. God Bless Our Country.

[jaycee]

Billie, what a beautiful job you have done on your thread. You have worked hard and we all appreciate what you do! Your thread is absolutely beautiful and heart-touching. Thanks.

[jaycee]

Once again thanks for your lovely words to give us another piece of poetry.

[jaycee]

Real tear-jerker. Beautiful.

[jaycee]

So pretty.......love it.

[jaycee]

I watched it on C-span and it was wonderful. It will be showing again at 10:30 or 11:00 tonight if anyone would like to see it. It was great.

[jaycee]

I checked out YouTube....yes, it was well worth watching. Packs a big punch!

[NicknamedBob]

"Real tear-jerker."

Every time I read it too. -- If you think it hurts to read it ...

... Yeah my monitor gets really fuzzy sometimes.

[GailA]

Thank you each and every one who proudly served our country.My local congresscritter was able to locate my step-dad's WWWII military records and get his medals for me...to my surprise there was a bronze star among them. He never told us what he did to earn it either.

Now for a heads up: I belong to a quilters guild, quilting is my only hobby. In my small town the only source for fabric is Wal-Mart unless we want to drive 10 miles to the next town to Hancocks where we have to pay more for many of the same fabrics Wal-Mart sells for $2.00 less per yard. We were informed that Wal-Mart is discontinuing their fabric department nationwide, going to go to just a craft department. This is a disaster for people like me on fixed incomes or where Wal-Mart is the nearest and the cheapest source of fabric. We would like you to contact Wal-Mart @ 800-Wal-Mart and tell them NOT to close the fabric section out.

Thanks

[jaycee]

Like I heard in a country song recently, 'was that a tear I heard in your throat'?

[NicknamedBob]

'was that a tear I heard in your throat'?

A tear? Possibly. It happens now and then ...

My Tears Obscure

My tears obscure the vision,
Our flag out on display.
Another hero will come home,
And rest here on this day.

I need to clean my glasses,
They fog up now and then.
It seems to happen often,
And here it is again.

It should always rain for funerals,
It helps to hide our tears,
The dignity, and somberness,
Allay our many fears.

Will I be brave when my turn comes,
Or has it been, and passed?
I know that I could stand to cry,
When He comes home at last.

NicknamedBob . . . March 20, 2006

[The Mayor]

November 11, 2006

Remembrance Day

READ: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34

He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” —Luke 22:19

I was in London’s Heathrow Airport waiting for a connecting flight to the US. An announcement came over the public address system stating that it was “Remembrance Day” in the UK, the day on which people honored those who had died for their country in times of war. The announcement further said that at 11:00 a.m. there would be 2 minutes of silence and that it would be appreciated if everyone kept that in mind. Thousands of people from all over the world stood in silence as a tribute to the fallen soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen of the UK.

The desire to remember those who gave their lives for their country is noble. Yet, as meaningful as that is, it cannot compare to the privilege that belongs to us when we approach the Lord’s Table. As we celebrate Communion, we are obeying Christ’s command that we remember His death (Luke 22:19) and to do it “till He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). When He sacrificed His life for us, He provided the forgiveness of sins that sets us free and secures for us an eternal home in heaven.

Rather than letting the Lord’s Supper become routine, make every opportunity at the Table a true “Remembrance Day” by honoring Him till He comes. —Bill Crowder

Thank You, Lord, for dying for me
On the cross of Calvary;
Help me always to remember
What You did to set me free.  —Sper

Remembering Christ’s death for us should cause us to live for Him.

Bible in One Year:   Jeremiah 50; Hebrews 8

[Billie]

With a grateful heart to veterans everywhere... wherever you are... whenever you served... may I say, "Thank you for your sacrifices, God Bless You, and God Bless America."

A Soldier's Story
by Cpl. Shaun Sanders, USMC

In July of 2005, I was shipped home from Al Asad, Iraq. Along the way, we had layovers in Kuwait, Ireland, and Dallas. There were only about 20 of us on the flight home. When we arrived in Dallas, we were tired and weary from being overseas for seven months (this time), flying literally across the globe (again), and then having to go through the long and tedious line and inspection that is U.S. Customs.

We were irritated and exhausted, and wanted nothing to do with one another or another or anyone else. Mostly, all we really wanted was a hot shower and a decent bed. Upon completion of customs, we began walking to our next gate through a tunnel that opened up into a larger walkway, and that's when we saw them.

There were people everywhere, dressed in patriotic red, white and blue, holding signs, cheering and clapping. We were absolutely overwhelmed. There were other veterans from previous wars, as well, and one of them I will never forget. He was wearing a "Vietnam Veteran" baseball cap with the dates he'd served. I walked directly up to him and we shook hands and hugged one another.

He said, "Thank you, Marine", and I said the same. I then whispered into his ear, "Sir, I want you to know that our generation understands that you guys didn't get this kind of treatment when you came home from Vietnam. Thank you for being the better man." He cried, and I moved on through the rest of the people wanting to say thank you.

That's what it feels to be a veteran: when two complete strangers from two very different generations can shake one another's hand with a connection of experience and understanding.

Needless to say, all of the weariness and fatigue we'd been feeling had subsided. Hundreds of people had organized a welcome home ceremony in an airport for 20 Marines none of them even knew. Nowhere else in the world can you find people so supportive and caring. That's what it feels like, to me, to be a veteran. Semper Fidelis. "To those who've fought for it, Freedom has a taste that the rest will never know."

[Billie]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to

Billie; Dutchess; DollyCali; The Mayor; GodBlessUSA; JustAmy,
and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law kimmie7......................brother LadyX (RIP)..............grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Bykrbayb..........................son Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36.............2 nephews TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son cookcounty......................son JFC............................nephew visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin painter........................nephew jrushing.............................son LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne..........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut...................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish........................active duty ODC-GIRL................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty AlaskaErik...............active duty JemiansTerror...........active duty tongue-tied ..............active duty txradioguy................active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy........2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son NavySEAL F-16........................son Ike..........................................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son GodBlessUSA......................cousin SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Jen's Mom........................daughter Meg33.............................grandson 911angelady........................2 sons Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law Earthdweller......................nephew Scubachick.......................husband ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins meanie monster .........family friend PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1...........................3 cousins JulieRNR21.........friend's grandson SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers weeder1...........................nephew IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw fatima.....................granddaughter Lori from Long Island....soninlaw monkeyface...................grandson redhead...................grandnephew gonzo............................soninlaw varina davis...................grandson Rivendell.......................daughter W.W.Smith...........................son vigilante2.....son, adopted soldier NavySEAL F-16....................son

[MEG33]

Honoring Our Veterans

For PreservIng Our Freedoms

[GodBlessUSA]

Your Veteran's Tributes are magnificent Billie!

[GodBlessUSA]

[Billie]

How sweet that is, Meg.

I need to answer some pings from yesterday, but wanted to post this picture from last year. (am sure there will be many parades and ceremonies for our Veterans today)