|
Ladies, Gentlemen, and especially Veterans. It is with great humility and I must admit, just a touch of pride to stand before you this Veterans Day. I would like to add one other special thanks, to my wife JoAnn who waited patiently during my service in Korea and multiple tours in Viet Nam, not only to my wife but the spouses of so many men and women who waited patiently, cried alone and in private, raised families alone, alone and waiting, alone and praying. Praying for the safe return and the wellbeing of those in harm's way. These spouses the families left behind I feel are just as much a veteran as those of us who served. Ladies and Gentlemen, today is Veterans Day, a day to pay homage and tribute to all who have served their country. To all who served, under the sea, in the air, on the ground. To quote from Cynthia Ozick, " We often take for granted the very things that deserve our gratitude. Ladies and gentleman allow me back up for just a minute. What is Veteran's Day? Where and when did it start? Veteran's Day, Veteran's Day actually began as Armistice Day, In November 1919, it was President Wilson who proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. Armistice Day, a day in which we as Americans will pay homage and remember our veterans with deeds, not just words. In recognition of our veterans, at 11 am, November 11, in 1921 an unknown American soldier was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC, on the same day unidentified soldiers were laid to rest at Westminster Abbey in London and the Arc de Triumphe in Paris. Why November 11? While WW1 actually ended with the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, however, for the soldiers in the trenches the fighting stopped with a "temporary" cease fire on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. From President Wilson's proclamation "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with the solemn of heroism..." and he went on, but the gist is here. Veterans are liberators of freedom, veterans are the backbone of Amrica. In May of 1938 it was approved that November 11, be set aside Armistice Day as a Legal Holiday. It was after the Korean War, in 1954, when the 83rd Congress with President Eisenhower changed the name Armistice Day to Veterans Day. It was by the approval of this legislation, Veterans from all wars not just WW1 were to be honored on November 11. Today, November, 11 is important because we choose to honor the living veterans from the greatest generation to the latest generation. But we as a nation must choose to honor our veterans with deeds not just words. The next development of Veterans day came in 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill which sought to encourage three day weekends. The first Veterans Day under the new law was October 25, 1971, confusion ensued and many states and individuals rebelled against this travesty. It was apparent that most Americans felt strongly about homage to their Veterans and their Historic and Patriotic efforts. In 1975 then President Gerald Ford, signed into law returning Veterans Day to its rightful place, November 11. Many of you do not know that Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the Veterans of WW1 and WW2, Canada with Remembrance Day and Britain, Remembrance Sunday. It is customary to observe 2 minutes of Silence in these countries and Commonwealths. School children and patriotic individuals from these countries actually go forth and decorate the graves and markers of soldiers who gave their lives that these countries may have freedom. What is a Veteran? Our first thought might be the combat scarred, stooped over old man walking down the street. We might see the men in the Veteran's Day parades or standing around in their old and ill fitting uniforms, proudly wearing their medals for one more time. Truthfully, a Veteran is someone, anyone who has taken an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. It can be the man or woman who has taken this oath even though it means that you may give up your life to honor this solemn obligation. We remember the pictures from the trenches of WW!, The pacific Islands and the terrible battles on the European Continent of WW2. The frozen mountains of Korea and the mud flats and highlands of Vietnam. The bitter heat and cold of the middle east. Many of these conflicts facing an unknown enemy hidden among the local population. A veteran is all of these, mothers, fathers, brothers sisters, uncles and aunts. Is it any wonder that November 11 is special. Our first Commander-in-Chief, then General George Washington said, "The willingness with which our young people will fight in any war, no matter how justified, will be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country." What is a veteran? A veteran is someone who listened to the mandates of our founding fathers who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor.
When you need an example of character, look to a veteran. A veteran is someone who wrote a blank check to the Unites States Government payable up to and including their own life. Joseph Narosky said, "In war there are no unwounded soldiers." But all veterans know that this nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. Few realize that less than 10% of Americans can claim the title of "Military Veteran". And yet what a list of accomplishments these ten percent can claim. From defeating Communism, Fascism and Imperialism, to keeping peace in the cold war and battling terrorism today. America owes a debt to her veterans that can never be repaid. When so many have gone forward, some of whom never return. Let me say this. Thank God for America and Thank God for giving us men and women willing to serve to protect this great nation. Thank you to all our veterans. And God Bless America |
|
Webmaster Bruce Morgan |