Monday, November 11, 2013 is Veterans Day.
A veteran is a man or woman who worked in the military. United States veterans are honored on Veterans Day each year on November 11th with national and local parades and other programs to recognize their contributions.
The ending of World War I fighting was celebrated at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day originally became known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was originally dedicated to the cause of world peace. An armistice is an official agreement to stop fighting. After World War II and the Korean War, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed in 1954 proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day to honor veterans of all wars.
In 1968, Veterans Day was moved to the last Monday in October, basically to allow 3 day weekends for federal employees. Many people did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on November 11th. In 1975, President Ford signed a law returning the official celebration of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11th beginning in 1978.
In August, 2001, US Senate Resolution 143 designated the week of November 11th-17th as “National Veterans Awareness Week”. The resolution is directed toward educating students about the sacrifices and contributions of our veterans.
Many people still confuse Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Veterans Day honors all military men and women who served our country. The primary purpose of Veterans Day is mainly to thank living veterans for their service to our country. Those killed in wars are honored specially on Memorial Day in May.
Governmental offices usually close on Veterans Day. State and local governments make the decision to close offices and schools, or not. Banks and other businesses may close. Retail stores are usually open.
Veterans Day often feels like a sad holiday, but there are many surviving veterans to salute. This is their special day. They should be honored and thanked for the brave service they gave and for being willing to put their lives on the line for the well being of all the citizens of the United States of America!
Showing posts with label Heroes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heroes. Show all posts
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Hug a Vet Today!
Novemeber 11, 2012-- Today is Veteran's Day. Show your appreciation to all our great American Veterans! Give a hero a hug!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thoughts for Memorial Day, May 30, 2010
Memorial Day is not just any other holiday. It’s a day that we pay tribute to all those people who have served and died for the United States. Below we have collected some quotable quotes and statements from some well-known public figures for us to reminisce.
We hope you can share your views about what you feel on Memorial Day 2010. Do you have a loved one you want to pay tribute for? Bump us a comment or two. After all, Memorial Day is a day to be proud that we’re Americans and that we have so many people who were willing to serve and die for our country.
Ah! never shall the land forget
How gushed the life-blood of her brave -
~William Cullen Bryant
And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood
Shall tell – when cold neglect is dead -
“These for their country fought and bled.”
~Philip Freneau
These heroes are dead. They died for liberty – they died for us. They are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines. They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest. Earth may run red with other wars – they are at peace. In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death. I have one sentiment for soldiers living and dead: cheers for the living; tears for the dead.
~Robert G. Ingersoll
All we have of freedom, all we use or know -
This our fathers bought for us long and long ago.
~Rudyard Kipling, The Old Issue, 1899
Who kept the faith and fought the fight;
The glory theirs, the duty ours.
~Wallace Bruce
We hope you can share your views about what you feel on Memorial Day 2010. Do you have a loved one you want to pay tribute for? Bump us a comment or two. After all, Memorial Day is a day to be proud that we’re Americans and that we have so many people who were willing to serve and die for our country.
Ah! never shall the land forget
How gushed the life-blood of her brave -
~William Cullen Bryant
And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood
Shall tell – when cold neglect is dead -
“These for their country fought and bled.”
~Philip Freneau
These heroes are dead. They died for liberty – they died for us. They are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines. They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest. Earth may run red with other wars – they are at peace. In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death. I have one sentiment for soldiers living and dead: cheers for the living; tears for the dead.
~Robert G. Ingersoll
All we have of freedom, all we use or know -
This our fathers bought for us long and long ago.
~Rudyard Kipling, The Old Issue, 1899
Who kept the faith and fought the fight;
The glory theirs, the duty ours.
~Wallace Bruce
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