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

[Diver Dave]

Thank You.

[Billie]

Hi, ladyred - thank you, and thank you for your WWII dad. There are such beautiful graphics and posts today to honor our military.

[Billie]

Afternoon, rd - thank you for your service, too. Did you find your photo in the background?

[Skywalk]

My pleasure. The song is quite good-- "Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros" sing it in the Black Hawk Down soundtrack.

[Billie]

Good afternoon, Aqua - that's just beautiful!

[dutchess]

This was posted yesterday and was a response to some lib professor who had trashed the military. I think it should be distributed at every antiwar protest or anti military editorials in the newspapers. Sorry if it's already been posted today.

"It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag." ~Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, Sergeant, USMC

[rdb3]

Sure did. I'm in the second squad. ;-)

[blackie]

Good morning Ladies...Happy Memorial/Veterans Day !!

Please remove me from the Finest Ping/Bump list.

There is too much loathing and hate going on in the background for this old curmudgeon...

With sadness, I bid you goodbye... :o(

[Billie]

Ours is not a military family. None the less we are most appreciative of the sacrifices made by others for us.

I can relate to that, IG. Thank you for your kind words.

[Mama_Bear]

Sorry if it's already been posted today.

"It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag." ~Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, Sergeant, USMC

I don't think it has been posted today, but it wouldn't matter if it had. As far as I am concerned you may post this EVERY day. :-)

I am going to ask my husband print up some cards with this message. You are right, it should be distributed at every rally and counter-protest.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you for adding your voice to ours in tribute to our Veterans, and thank you for posting that graphic - it's one I have not seen before.

[sneakers]

Me too, Molly. My dad - a WWII US Army vet - died two years ago last august. He had a rough life - battling alcoholism and nervous depression - but the one thing that he did in his life that made him feel so proud was to serve his country. All of our vets deserve our deepest honor and appreciation. God bless your dad and mine. We have to work hard to protect what they fought so hard for.

[g'nad]

Missus g is much better... she never got "morning sick", as she always felt great in the mornin'... she tends to be "evenin' sick"... which makes it hard to get outta bed in the mornin'... ;o)

so what's new wit' you darlin'?...

[jwalsh07]

Long Island National Cemetery

>

Final resting place for my Dad and my Uncles.

A thanks to all vets and active duty and a special thanks to my cousin John's son, a 1LT in the USMC.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you for your military service, ladtx, and for what you do here every day. You are appreciated.

Hello to Mrs. ladtx and the entire ladtx clan. Families of our veterans deserve appreciation this day also. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

We appreciate you coming by to honor our Veterans today. The welcome mat is always out for friends of our military and our veterans. Thank you!

[ladtx]

Thanks Mama_Bear. Your recognition is appreciated since it looks like 2 of our boys may be in the thick of it very soon.

[knighthawk]

(Photo: American Battle Monuments Commission)

American Battle Monuments Commission - Margraten

War Cemetary, Margraten, the Netherlands. 8.000 US soldiers are buried here.

[JustAmy]

Thanks for this beautiful thread today. I have so many veterans to thank today. I hate to name them because I may forget some but I will name the ones I can.
I guess I can start with my GGGGgrandfather who died during the Revolutionary War. Another GGGGgrandfather Sutton who fought in the Revolutionary War. (Several more but I can't remember them all) My GGgrandfather who fought for the Rebels during the Civil War. Also a GGgrandfather who fought with the Yankees. LOL My greatUncle who fought in WWI; my husband and an uncle who fought in WWII, my bil who served in Korea, my brother who served during the VietNam War. I'm positive that I have more veteran relatives but I'm hoping they will forgive me for not remembering their names.
COB1, DiverDave, ladtx, .45man, Ladyx; Jim Robinson: I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all your fellow servicemen and women for serving your country. You are truly appreciated.
ALL: for anyone who I did not name ... Thank you! Your are appreciated.

[Mama_Bear]

Your recognition is appreciated since it looks like 2 of our boys may be in the thick of it very soon.

I am the mother of a Gulf War Vet. I know how proud you must be of your sons and I know it is not easy to see them go into harms way.

Please God, go with them and protect them and all who serve in the cause of protecting our freedom.