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

[ValerieUSA]

Yesterday at Comanche Springs Cemetery

[Temple Owl]

Good Morning Billie. It's a beautiful rainy Veterans Day here in suburban Philadelphia. Have a second cup of coffee and God Bless America and all our fellow GIs and veterans.

[dansangel]

Good Morning to all and a big salute to all of our Veterans.

For my husband .45MAN who served 8 years in the Air Force, 1962-1970, my father Louis who served 4 years in the Navy during WWII, my son-in-law Tony who served 4 and 1/2 years in the Air Force and ALL members of the armed forces past and present, May God Bless You all.

We love you and thank you all for the sacrifices you have made so that we can remain free.

[Militiaman7]

VETERANS DAY 2002

Saluting:All Veterans
Thank you for your service

Remembering all those who have given their all for our liberty and freedoms

[daisyscarlett]

MAJ William F. Callinan: CPT Milton F. Smith; CPT John J. Livingston; WO1 Terrence M. Rooney;CPT Walter R. Speare III; 1LT Dee W. Stone Jr. - Rest in Peace and thank you from a grateful nation.

[daisyscarlett]

Please give Mr. Severa a big ole hug and thank him for serving....And thank you for being such a great military wife and Mom...

[daisyscarlett]

Thank you for your service. Happy Veterans Day...(Hope you are lurking COBy)...

[daisyscarlett]

Mr. and Mrs. T.O. and Petuniasevan and poorman....Military couples extraordinaire...Thank you and Happy Veterans Day.

[daisyscarlett]

So very nice to see you posting today....Happy Veterans Day to you MM7...

[SassyMom]

Good Morning Daisy! I love this graphic! Without our veterans we would NOT be free. Thank you so much for our freedom!

[anniegetyourgun]

Well, I am blonde with hair about that length. However.....

[Diver Dave]

Good Morning and Veteran's Day greetings to one and all.

Salute to my fellow Vets.

[daisyscarlett]

Our Commander in Chief began his Veterans Day with an unannounced visit to the Memorial Wall...

President Bush (news - web sites) places a flag as he pays a solemn visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, 2002. He will later lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

[Militiaman7]

Thanks, Glad too be here. I other thing I'd like to do while I can.

Saluting:Moms and Dads of Vets

[Undertow]

"On 19 April 1989, an explosion of undetermined cause ripped through her Number Two sixteen-inch gun turret killing 47 crewmen. Iowa was still able to deploy to Europe and the Mediterranean Sea in mid-year. Turret Two remained unrepaired when she decommissioned in Norfolk, Va., for the last time 26 October 1990. Iowa is presently part of the Reserve Fleet, berthed at the Naval Education and Training Center in Newport, R.I., since 24 Sept. 1998."

Since most of my life has been spent between the covers of books, academic journals and research articles, I am always hesitant to post any comment on military threads since I have never "been there." But right now I would like to thank all those who served in war and peace. I would also like to remind all who are reading this to remember the USS Iowa (BB-61).

[g'nad]

mornin' Billie... home with the family today... helpin out...

gonna try and do an evening hunt if the weather clears...

Nice post today... thank you ma'am... it's an honor to serve...

[daisyscarlett]

Happy Veterans Day to you Diver Dave. You sure looked spiffy at the FResno Freep Friday night in your Navy blues...

[Billie]

To those 6 Lives Lost in 1966
We will remember you

[Diver Dave]

[Billie]

Happy FReeper Anniversary, Severa!