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

[Feiny]

[Mama_Bear]

I hear the area has changed alot in the last 5 years.

I'm sure it has. I haven't been back there for 30 something years. I probably would not even be able to find our old neighborhood or my High School. LOL!

[Feiny]

Veteran of the Month for November

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, mtngrl, for joining us in honoring our Veterans today. You are one of the most dedicated patriots I know. I thank God for you and the entire Fresno group. I know no finer group of people. :-)

[Billie]

Hi, daisy - wish I had more time to spend here today. Thank you, and again I want to say thanks to Lori, for furnishing the text of the thread and that beautiful red graphic of IowaJima - sure made my work easier! :)

[Skywalk]

(there's a great version of this song in Black Hawk Down) I believe it to be a fitting tribute to veterans on this day

The Minstrel Boy --Thomas More

The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone

in the rank of death you'll find him

His father's sword- he has girded on

and his wild harp slung behind him

'Land of Song!' said the warrior Bard

'Though all the world betrays thee,

one sword at least thy rights shall guard,

one faithful harp shall praise thee'

The Minstrel fell but the foeman's chain

could not bring his proud sail under

The Harp he loved ne'er spoke again

for he tore it's chords a-sunder

And said 'No chains shall sully thee,

Thou soul of love and bravery.

Thy songs were made for the pure and the free,

They shall never sound in slavery'

[Billie]

It's 'da Pharmer! Thanks, Phil, for coming today. Have fun tamale-making!

[Diver Dave]

...is that he not work on Veteran's day...

Afternoon, LIR. Tell chads that if he needs some help doing nothing, that I'd be willing to help him. I happen to be a journeyman in that field. :)

Salute to my fellow Vet.

[Billie]

Good morning, Temple. Beautiful and rain don't go hand in hand for me right now- we had so many days in a row I was so anxious to see Mr. Sun again. :)

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, and again I want to say thanks to Lori, for furnishing the text of the thread and that beautiful red graphic of IowaJima - sure made my work easier! :)

It was a labor of love, Billie. You know how badly I feel about not being able to contribute more to the profiles that you, daisy and dansangel do, so I am more than happy to have been able to help today.

I have decided to take the day off so that I can spend as much time here as needed to welcome and thank our friends who are posting their messages to our Veterans. I cannot participate in any of the Veterans Day cermonies happening around the country, but I can be here. It is the least I can do. :-)

[Billie]

Good morning, beautiful partner. I know I owe you mail. :(

Plese thank your father and your son-in-law for me for serving to protect our country. I'll say thanks to your husband. :) Thank you, .45Man.

Love that graphic, too.

[Billie]

I am so glad to see you again today. We've missed you, MM. Thank you.

[LadyX]

Thank you, Julie, for the beautiful graphics, and all you do for America.

[Mama_Bear]

And said 'No chains shall sully thee,

Thou soul of love and bravery.

Thy songs were made for the pure and the free,

They shall never sound in slavery'

Beautiful! Thank you so much for this very fitting contribution to this thread today.

[Billie]

Good afternoon, Diver. Hope you are being treated today the way you treat those you know are veterans....with the utmost respect and admiration and gratitude.

[Billie]

Afternoon, Undertow, and thank you so much for coming to our thread and for your post about the USS Iowa. You are appreciated and hope you come again. This is a daily thread, and we normally feature a different FReeper each day, with special holidays and occasions being the exception. Come back tomorrow and read about a FReeper you might not otherwise know. :)

[Billie]

Hi, Marine ping-a-ling. How is Mrs. g'nad feeling? Hope all is well, no morning sickness, etc. :)

[Mama_Bear]

Dave, I think you know how much I appreciate your service, but today I will say thank you again - not only for your military service, but for your dedication to your God, your country and your family. You set a fine example to which all Americans should aspire.

[Diver Dave]

Thank you, Billie. Appreciate those words.

Got a few Veteran's Day activities to attend in a short while.

Salute to all my fellow Vets.

[Billie]

Hi, LadyX, thank you for your beautiful post as always, and thank you for your service. Hope you enjoyed a grand celebration yesterday for the Marine's Birthday.