Critter Sitter's Blog: Veterans Day

It is 18 degrees outside on this Veteran's Day's morning; we're supposed to warm up to 32 this afternoon. There is a raggedy looking bit of snow on the ground - grass and leaves are poking through it, and it looks like Mother Nature did a poor job of applying a layer of vanilla icing... The sun just appeared, but I think it's going to hide its face again, soon. Nedi and Lovey have been out and about; both came back in with muddy feet and left a trail across my chest. We are supposed to have high temperatures around 60 for the rest of the week (thank goodness!).

Veteran's Day is intended to honor and thank all military personnel who have served this country in wartime or peace. It is specifically aimed at honoring living veterans. In "The Great War", "The War to End All Wars", or, more simply, World War I, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time. In 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the day should be "filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory". There were plans for parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business activities at 11am.

In 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving. The Congress also requested that the president should "issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."

Here are the veterans I salute today with love and undying gratitude: