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

[Mama_Bear]

What a beautiful and moving tribute! Thank you for this.

[SheLion]

Billie! Thank you for this Wonderful Wonderful site! God Bless you!

I, too, salute ALL the Veterans. I also salute my Viet Nam Vet Hubby, who received two Purple Hearts, and was able to bring them home to us, thank God!

He is registered on Free Republic as Maine Rebel, although he is just a lurker. :)

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Hi, Molly. My own WWII Vet father is still with me - I just called him to thank him again for serving our country during WWII. He was so pleased. But, he is so modest and rarely talks about that experience.

God bless all our veterans - young and old. Where would America be without you?

[Mixer]

Happy "FR Anniversary" to Severa

[Mama_Bear]

Hi, daisy. I am so happy that I was able to contribute to Billie's Veterans Day tribute today. And, I appreciate the participation of so many fine FReepers and friends of our military and veterans. It makes my heart smile. :-)

[Mo1]

[dutchess]

Good afternoon Billie. What a wonderful tribute today.

Freedom and molly. My dad is also a WWII vet., was seriously injured in Taipan and rarely talked about his experience. Finally last Memorial Day he participated in a ceremony his community association put on. It was so very touching.

God bless all our veterans and military personnel...

[Mama_Bear]

I also salute my Viet Nam Vet Hubby, who received two Purple Hearts, and was able to bring them home to us, thank God!

Please tell him that many on FR thank him for his service. And, thank you for your service as a military wife.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, Valerie, for bringing your special touch and photographs to this thread. You are appreciated. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, special lady, for those graphics and for all of the patriotic things you do everyday to support your country, President Bush, the military, and conservative principles. :-)

[ladyinred]

Hi Mama_Bear!
This thread is becoming a thing of beauty today. What a wonderful tribute to our heroes!
Thank you and JKPhoto for your dedication to our troops, and for your friendship!
Enjoy this beautiful day in sunny California!

[ladyinred]

If you are out there, Happy Veterans day to you sir!
Thank you for your service, and your dedication to those who wear the uniform now and in the past!

[Mama_Bear]

This thread is becoming a thing of beauty today.

The beauty of this thread is entirely due to beautiful people like you who are coming by to honor our veterans today. Thank you, lir, for all you do in support of our military and veterans. You are a patriot and a friend. Hugs to you and chads. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Old Glory looks extra beautiful today.

Yes, She does!

Thank you for your wonderful support of this thread. You are appreciated here. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks, Iowa Granny, for coming by and helping us to pay tribute to our Veterans. I do not believe that it is necessary to be a "military family" or to have served in the military to be able to understand and appreciate what we owe those who have answered the call to service. Thank you for honoring them today.

[ladyinred]

Thank you!
Speaking of Chads. The one rule I do insist on around here, in spite of all of his doghouse whining, is that he not work on Veteran's day! This holiday to remember those who served and died defending this country is taken too lightly these days IMHO! (not here, of course)
His partner, himself a veteran is working, and can't understand why Chads isn't!
The little stinker did sneak out though, and I have a feeling he just might be doing something he isn't supposed to be! :-)

[Feiny]

I went to college at ODU & lived at 81st in VA Beach for a while. I hear the area has changed alot in the last 5 years.

[Mama_Bear]

Darn! Our Veterans Day Parade in Media PA., featuring members of the E Company Band of Brothers has been called off because of rain. Well here's a salute anyway.

Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. I know you were looking forward to it.

Our military serves day and night often in horrible conditions, it is too bad that those participating in the parade could not have braved the rain today. I'm sure there are many who gladly would have had the parade not been cancelled.

[Feiny]

Hats off to ALL veterans!!!

[Mama_Bear]

The little stinker did sneak out though, and I have a feeling he just might be doing something he isn't supposed to be! :-)

LOL! Sheesh, lir! You have to watch him every minute, don't you? ;-)