Veteran's Day - A Day Of Remembrance

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Armistice Day

We are coming up on what is called Veteran's Day in the United States. Other countries call it Armistice Day or A Day Of Remembrance. It was originally called Armistice Day at the end of World War I. The articles of surrender were signed on November 11 at 11:00 a.m.. This was when the warring armies ceased conflict and decided to pursue peace.

It was declared to be a day to be remembered for generations to come. But as time goes on many forget the ravages of war.

A Tradition Of Service

Throughout history, armies have fought fierce battles around the world, sometimes for weeks and at one time for over a century, for example the Hundred Years War or the Reconquista. The first one lasted 116 years while the second one lasted 781 years.

Many men and women throughout the centuries have answered the call to service. They often answered the call with pride in their cause and country. Some people became soldiers because they had a calling to military service and a family who had served for generations.

It is important for me to note that not all people who served in the military served in armed conflict but in a time of readiness to defend their country. These people still served an important role in readiness for war if needed.

There are those who served in conflict that suffered from what at was called "battle fatigue" but now is called "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder"(PTSD). These individuals saw the horrors of war up close and personal. Anyone who has not been on the battlefield can never truly understand what these people have to deal with on a daily basis.

To Honor Those Who Served

It was my great honor to be a part of a memorial service to those great men and women who served us throughout our history. The memorial service itself while lasting only 20 minutes had many moments that showed not only the valor of our warriors but the devotion they had to something greater than themselves. Often during the ceremony we heard the words "DUTY, HONOR, COUNTY, GOD".

DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY, GOD

When we think of these words, what do they mean to us on a personal level. As for me, DUTY means I have a duty to serve my country and my fellow man(woman) in the way that reflects their dignity and humanity.

For me, the word "Honor" signifies that in all things I do in wartime should me done with honor without the thought of riches or the darker side of war. For me, this means if I see a child who has been injured, it is my duty to help attend to the wounds of that child or to protect that child from being killed. Many soldiers have paid the ultimate sacrifice for shielding a child with their body or they have given some or all of their rations to children who may not have had any food for days or weeks. Having a sense of honor and compassion should not be something to set aside.

Pride of one's "COUNTRY" is something that felt around the world in our respective countries. We should all feel a sense of pride in our country, when our country acts with honor to its neighbors, duty to its people and respect for other nations around the world. We should all have civic pride in our communities, this is the birthplace of civic pride in our regional and national leaders. No one government is perfect or ever will be but our sense of pride in our nation should be felt by its citizens because of love of country.

The love of "GOD" may not be a priority for many people. When you look at the great leaders of yesteryear, they each had a devotion to God. They felt that with the presence of God that justice was on their side. I can say that when a nation loses its sense of holiness the road to destruction is not far off. Each of us has our own definition of God. Some have different gods than I do but thankfully that is THEIR choice. I have often looked at how a person acts instead of what they say to know if there is a presence of peace in them.

Celebration Of Veterans Worldwide

It has been my honor to celebrate the people of the United States who have served in time of war and time of peace. I will never fully know what each of them went through but I salute their love of country, their honor, their duty and their love of humanity to serve, often when others would say it was a waste of time.

Their love for humanity often came with a terrible price, to these men and women, you have my love, respect and gratitude for allowing me to live in a land where freedom rings, justice can be served, and the knowledge that you have given me a heritage of which to be proud.

Conclusion

While this is a tribute to veterans worldwide, it is also how I view the heritage that was left for me to protect. It does not matter which country you are from, your love of country should burn brightly with love for your fellow man in your heart. It is by looking for those areas of common principles that peace can be found. It signifies the place where we can have mutual respect.

Please like, share, and comment,

Heaven's Gate Awaits The Fallen Soldier Who Was True To Self, Country, And God

Jerry

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Recent Comments

28

I am very thankful for the life I have been able to live thanks to those who sacrificed theirs, It humbles me when I see how young they were and how much they had to live for.

It saddens me that we are a race that cannot seem to get along with each other. Politicians and leaders make the choices and others pay the cost. Then the reasons are hidden for national security reasons. It is so sad.

I will always appreciate the life I have been fortunate to live.

Alex

I, too, am thankful for having the ability to live my life by my own direction. So many of our heroes died you and tragically. Often they are not given the honor they deserve, how many of us can live with the horrors of war these individuals have to endure daily. Most of the time they keep the pain shuttered so we won't see.
Jerry

We should never forget the sacrifices of those who gave ther all so we could be free today.
Thanks
Stephen

Awesome, Jerry, but did you know that "Veteran's Day" was coined by people in Emporia, Kansas?

Check it out!

History of Veterans Day
The holiday was first organized and celebrated in Emporia in 1953. Kansas Congressman Ed Rees, also an Emporian, then took King's proposal to Congress, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, also of Kansas, signed the bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.

Jeff

Awesome. I would like to send you a copy of the program we used for the flag retirement ceremony.
Jerry

That sounds awesome, Jerry!

Jeff

Your response is so much more eloquent than my post. You brought to light some issues I did not cover. Thank you. I also thank you for being the wife of a soldier. That soldier needs your support. As an army wife, you know firsthand the difficulties of our service members. Please continue to be a light shining in the dark for your loved one.
Jerry

Your article is so beautifully and carefully written.

I have always wondered how it is that certain people could step forward into a battle, knowing that they would certainly be killed. What it is inside the soul of an individual to give up all they cherish to join like souls to fight, perhaps die, for a cause they believed in that is greater than their love of living.

I'm thankful for our all the veterans who served so we could live in a country where we are free to question, rebuke, or hail our elected officials. Where we are free to travel from one side of the country to the other with no restraints, no fear and no need to register our moves with big government.

Are there issues with our system. Of course. Every system has issues. Every. System. Would I lay down my life for this country? That's a very tough question to answer. Even being a career army wife, I cannot imagine sitting in a tent somewhere, knowing that in just a few hours there would be a fire fight wherein I would be killed. Or the anxiety of hiding in my house, knowing a force is on it's way with every intent to obliterate all that I believe in.

If I had to defend, I know I could do it. If I had to volunteer, eh, I'm not sure.

My most sincere gratitude to all veterans - volunteer or draft - for stepping forward to stand for our freedom while in danger of falling for the same.




Thank for such a touching tribute….I will always honor those that have the ultimate sacrifice.

-Mike

I have lost friends and loved ones that should have been honored but were not. This changed my view of how veterans should be honored. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Jerry

I thank all service people at every moment I can — my son and daughter-in-law are retired Marines!

-Mike

Such a wonderful tribute to the heroes.

They deserve at the very least our respect. They fought so the general population did not have to suffer the tragedy of war. There will always be wars but the way we treat our warriors shows how that nation feels about them. There can be a solution for each situation but we must first convince our politicians that war should be the VERY LAST OPTION.
Jerry

I agree with you.

Well written, and heart felt.
Thanks for the share,
Sami

Sami,
I was honored to have participated in a ceremony this past Saturday to honor our veterans. All too often those who have struggled with PTSD are vilified and shunned for their experiences. These individuals gave of themself so others could have a life free from hardship in many forms. I wanted to acknowledge them as well as those who had given the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for your response.
Jerry

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