Veteran's Day

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in the year 1918 AD, an armistice, or temporary cease fire agreement, began between the countries at war - Germany and the Allied nations.  At the time, World War I was regarded as "the great war" and "the war to end all wars."  If only this were so.  In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 to be the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words:  "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations. ...."
   The original concept of the day was for a celebration of parades and public meetings, with a brief cessation of all business at 11 a.m.  In 1926, the United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution that 11 November be celebrated by displaying the American flag prominently on all governmental buildings, and that people celebrate the day with friendly relations to all other peoples.  In 1938 Armistice Day became a legal holiday in the US.  It was a day we celebrated those who fought and died for our country in World War I.
   Then came World War II and the Korean War.  In 1954, Congress agreed to strike out the word Armistice in the resolution of 1926, and change the word to Veterans.  We have had our military personnel serve all over the world during times of war and times of peace since then.  We are still involved in armed conflict on this very day.  Members of my family have served in the military as far back as I have been able to trace, and I am extremely proud of their service to this country.  Many never returned home, and still lie in unmarked graves, or have had their bones scattered by scavengers as the ages, centuries, and years have past.  I am still proud of them.
  We live in a great nation, founded on great and high-sounding and proud beliefs.  But these beliefs must be paid for by those who serve our country in our military - from nurse and doctor, cook and raw recruit, enlisted men and officers, computer programmers to entrenchment diggers - all of these people, from every walk of life, serving in every capacity, are willing and sworn to give their life's blood to protect me and this nation.  That is a humbling realization.
   I thank all of the people who are serving, have served, and have given their lives to protect my freedom and my own personal way of life.  Blessings upon all of you.