Remember Those Who Fight For Us
November 11 is Veteran's Day in the United States of America.This day was originally called Armistice Day in commemoration of the armistice signed in 1918 to end World War I--The War to end all wars.
Unfortunately, it wasn't and it didn't. Countries rise and fall because of wars. The love of country push men and women to go to war. Many die for that love of country. Others survive and return home to begin a new life.Today we honor all veterans for their service to country.
Some of us quickly forget those who sacrificed everything so that we can live in reasonable peace and prosperity.
I'm always amused at news segments that show a prominent news person going out on the street to ask people what a certain day is.I watched one such segment yesterday evening and it was both hilarious and sad. Somebody said,"Thanksgiving?" another said, "Easter?"
Wars define boundaries.Wars change governments. Wars cause migrations of people from one counry to another. Migrants- farmers, herdsman, tradesmen- bring skills with them and set up business in their chosen new country.
Germans migrated to the new world as early as 1700. In Amerca they were farmers and carpenters. When the Revolutionary War broke out, they became soldiers. The newly formed government had no money, but there was lots of land in this new country and many former military were paid in land grants. They established the new land for homes and farms. This explosion westward created business for builders and toolsmiths.
The English were in the business of conquest early on. William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066. In the following years, everything was great if you were the first born son. Those who didn't stand to inherit started to migrate to the New World. The English came into the Carolinas and traded with the Indians.
By the 1700's English settlers spread south into Gerogia. By now, their industries included tobacco and cotton, and unfortunately, the slave trade. By the 1800's the United States was embroiled in the ugly business of slavery. The nation split into North and South, and in 1861, the country engaged in a war that pitted brother against brother. The Civil War was a bloddy war and the South was destined to lose.
After the Civil War, the nation continued to spread Westward until the United States reached from "Sea to Shining Sea." Industries of every kind sprang up. Communication, railroads, transportaion. World War I broke out and the war industry grew by leaps and bounds.. Airplanes and weapons of mass destruction became important industries. People found opportunities to develop new businesses of their own because of the demands of war.
Then in 1929 came the big wall street crash and nobody had anything. However, enterprising people still managed to eke out a living. Many lived off the land. Others managed by taking their business door to door--shoeing horses, sharpening tools, offering day work, etc.
World War II started a whole new industrial revolution that has never stopped. The transportation industry is an empire that won't quit . Medicine has found cures for disease that we thought couldn't be cured.
Communiation is Global. We have a whole new way to communicate that will never stop expanding. It's called The Internet. The Internet gives us opportunities to do business with people in every corner of the world, every hour of every day.
Business however, has never gotten easier. Anybody who wants to succeed must be motivated to work hard, learn new things and stay with it. New industries mean accepting new ways to accomplish new ideas. Flexibility is a given. Navigating the Internet is not easy and you can't give up if you wish to succeed.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the world, the war industry continues. It's the one industry we need to bring to a halt. Until then, lets all remember those who fight for us.
Recent Comments
14
Hi Barbara, thank you for sharing. We should never forget the sacrifices of these brave people.
Let us never forget.
Michael
Excellent post, Barbara. Some of our own here at WA are still in the military. Thanks to all for your service.
Paula
Hi Barbara, this is an awesome tribute...with a little bit of history mixed in. I fully enjoyed reading it!
I wish you the best!
Bob
I watched that segment too. It was funny and sad, that all these people who had definite opinions on everything else knew so little about our history and the price paid by others. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this most important day.
In the Civil War, Slavery was a huge issue, but the war inherently was about States' rights. The whole sad part is that Slavery would be over by 1888 anyway because the industrial revolution eliminated the need for it!
Jeff
The Civil war took a huge toll on members of my ancestral family- taking fathers and sons and leaving widows with no resources or safety measures. It also left former slaves with no way to care for their families, no jobs, no property etc. It was a chaotic time. and you are right slavery was on the way out. There was no need for a war. But righteous indignation, and the desire to punish takes over and common sense gets lost. Thanks Jeffery
Fine post Barbara, in the uk it is called Remembrance Day. We will salute the veterans and all those still serving on: Remembrance Sunday and again on 11th minute of the 11th day of the 11th month (whatever day it lands) We too used to also call it Armistice day.
Good motivational ending.
Thank you for taking the time to share...👍
Thank you for sharing the Uk Remembrance Day. It seems easy to forget our veterans. They come home and melt into the day to day, which is what they want to do.
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We honor our veterans and soldiers always