A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....Veteran's Day, November 11, 2002

Mama_Bear and Billie

[Billie]

The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the llth Month

Veterans Day November 11, 2002

God Bless Our Country....
....God Bless Our Veterans







.

Honoring Veterans Everywhere....
....Picturing Some of FR's



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 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 Will Never Forget

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

Taps

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh -- Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear -- Friend, good night.

Composed By Major General Daniel Butterfield. Army of the Potomac, Civil War. Major General Butterfield is buried in the Post Cemetery at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Thank you, Veterans, and thank you, FReepers, for all you have done to preserve our freedom in America. A thank you, too, to Mama_Bear, who provided the information for today's thread when I wasn't sure what to 'do' for Veteran's Day today. I had the background done, and the layout, but it was as far as I had gotten when she came to the rescue. : ) Thank you, Lori, I know how much the Military means to you and everyone who participates here.

God Bless All, Past and Present.

THIS WEEKEND's THREAD

11-09,10-02 Week in Review

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

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 an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[LadyX]

The expressions today on Free Republic in honor of veterans have been awesome!
Thank all of you for the words and songs and pictures and graphics that have made it so special for all the military serving, before and now - and honoring those who gave their lives.

It was so heartwarming to watch the ceremonies, and feel America is on the right track with the right leaders.

~ ~ ~ May God bless America ~ ~ ~

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks daisy. I need to take off for awhile. My husband wants to take me out for dinner, so I'll try to stop back in later and say good night to everyone.

It has been a nice day here. I have enjoyed the camaraderie and the many heartwarming posts to our Veterans. My heart has been smiling all day. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

But please keep me on the FR's Finest ping list!

Of course, Pippin. We'll keep pinging you until you get settled in and can post again.

BTW, have you heard anything from Beep? It has been almost a month since her surgery.

[El Gato]

(there's a great version of this song in Black Hawk Down) I believe it to be a fitting tribute to veterans on this day

The Minstrel Boy --Thomas More

I think you'll find a version in "The Rough Riders" too, as it was used by the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry also. A midi of the tune can be found Here

[lodwick]

Good evening there MissDaisy - it's nice to see ya. ;-)

[Pippin]

Thanks, MB :^)!

I haven't heard anything from Beep, though, I was just thinking about her and wondering how thingd turned out with her surgery.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you. Happy Veterans Day to you too....
:O)

[Pippin]

((((((MEEKIE)))))

Hugs for veterans today!

[daisyscarlett]

Here is the photo I tried to post to you earlier....

[daisyscarlett]

God Bless America. This has been a special Veterans Day as we face another war soon with Iraq. And reports keep coming in all over the world that another Bin Laden act of terrorism is planned. Praise the Lord that W is our leader.

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks for posting those photos of your Dad...They are very special.

[Diver Dave]

Evenin' to our hostesses. Thanks for a fine tribute to our Veterans today and the contributions from one and all.

I just got home from the closing ceremonies at The Traveling Wall. The Dress Blues will go to the cleaners and back into the cedar chest until Memorial Day.

Tonight as I gazed at panel 30W and the name of a high school friend, I happened to glance over to panel 31W. Halfway down the list of names I discovered another high school classmate.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies, The Lord's Prayer was prayed in unison as a benediction followed by "Taps" by a trumpeter. I snapped to attention and rendered a sharp salute with tears streaming down my cheeks.

At the end of taps, I returned my gaze towards the wall. Several people approached me and said the words "Thank You." A young boy about 10 or eleven came up and held out his hand and said thank you. He then said, "I just wanted you to know that I have the deepest respect for you" and patted me on the back as he departed. Coming from one so young, I have great hope in this country and a new generation that hold the values of freedom, patriotism and liberty as did past generations.

May God Bless America and the Armed Forces of the United States past and present.

[Mo1]

Thank you Daisy ..

[daisyscarlett]

What an uplifting post, DD. How touching that that young man came up and greeted you. I have a feeling he will remember that his whole life....And congratulations on being able to fit into those dress blues after all these years...Not too many can claim that, I'll bet...lol...

Thank you for your proud Service to our Nation.

[WVNan]

What a great experience DD. BTW, I saw how cute you looked in your uniform last Fri. when you were at the Fresno Rally. Thank you from this old WWII generation grandma. Believe me I know what the military means for our freedom. God bless you.

[daisyscarlett]

Hope you treated your Veteran hubby to a special dinner...like this one....Maine lobster tail with caviar on a griddle cake...

[WVNan]

A good evening to you Miss Scarlett.

[Mama_Bear]

I wish I could have attended a Veterans Day celebration, but I was not able to. But, I enjoyed my day on the thread here with so many fine Americans. It was a celebration in itself.

Thank you for sharing your day with us. I always enjoy your posts.

[Mama_Bear]

My husband says thank you for the cyber lobster......he loves lobster! Unfortunately, that isn't what he had tonight. LOL! But it's something to keep in mind for the next dinner out. :-)

[daisyscarlett]

What a sweet card. I am very familiar with that site it came from but I had not seen that one yet....Thank you....And a hug for your Veteran hubby tonight from me along with a thank you for his service...