Ninety years ago, on November 11th at five o’clock in the morning, in a railway carriage in France, the Armistice between the Allies and Germany was signed, thus agreeing to stop hostilities six hours later. Consequently at 11:00am, or the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the guns of the First World War fell silent.
The First World War had left nearly 20 million military and civilian dead, at least that many wounded, and Europe nearly buried under rubble. “The war to end all wars” was over. However, then there was the Second World War and the Korean War, so November 11th, originally known as Armistice Day, became known as Veteran’s Day as of 1954. A day we now use to honor all who have served our country, especially those who have given their last full measure.
For those who have served in our military, Veterans Day is a day that reminds them of the friends they served with, those they fought with, and those that didn’t come home. For the families of fallen service members they are reminded of their loss and grieve for their hero. Families with soldiers, sailors, airmen or marines currently serving on active duty will reflect on their current status, and Blue Star Mothers hope and pray that they will not join the ranks of the Gold Star Mothers.
Our current military is unique in the fact that it is an all-volunteer force. Any soldier, sailor, airman or marine who is currently serving, willingly raised their hand and said they would serve; and if need be, give their life for our country. This special group of patriots is typical of all who have fought when our country has asked for their service. Whether it was World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, or the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers have had a choice to make. They could answer the call to serve, or the draft demand to serve if there was one at the time, or they could ignore the call and hide from their duty. This choice speaks volumes about the men and women of our U.S. military. This choice is about honor. Honor demanded they accept the call, and in honor, most answered the call.
This Veterans Day let us return that honor. Let us reach out to the Veterans in our midst and thank them for their service in defense of our country. Let us reach out to families of deployed heroes and stand beside them in support of their loved one who is in harms way. Let us reach out to the families of the fallen heroes and thank them for their sacrifice in preserving our freedom.
This Veterans Day let us return that honor by being worthy of the gift of freedom that each and every Veteran has fought to defend and protect.
The First World War had left nearly 20 million military and civilian dead, at least that many wounded, and Europe nearly buried under rubble. “The war to end all wars” was over. However, then there was the Second World War and the Korean War, so November 11th, originally known as Armistice Day, became known as Veteran’s Day as of 1954. A day we now use to honor all who have served our country, especially those who have given their last full measure.
For those who have served in our military, Veterans Day is a day that reminds them of the friends they served with, those they fought with, and those that didn’t come home. For the families of fallen service members they are reminded of their loss and grieve for their hero. Families with soldiers, sailors, airmen or marines currently serving on active duty will reflect on their current status, and Blue Star Mothers hope and pray that they will not join the ranks of the Gold Star Mothers.
Our current military is unique in the fact that it is an all-volunteer force. Any soldier, sailor, airman or marine who is currently serving, willingly raised their hand and said they would serve; and if need be, give their life for our country. This special group of patriots is typical of all who have fought when our country has asked for their service. Whether it was World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, or the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers have had a choice to make. They could answer the call to serve, or the draft demand to serve if there was one at the time, or they could ignore the call and hide from their duty. This choice speaks volumes about the men and women of our U.S. military. This choice is about honor. Honor demanded they accept the call, and in honor, most answered the call.
This Veterans Day let us return that honor. Let us reach out to the Veterans in our midst and thank them for their service in defense of our country. Let us reach out to families of deployed heroes and stand beside them in support of their loved one who is in harms way. Let us reach out to the families of the fallen heroes and thank them for their sacrifice in preserving our freedom.
This Veterans Day let us return that honor by being worthy of the gift of freedom that each and every Veteran has fought to defend and protect.
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