Honoring Our Veterans
What are veterans? Veterans are real life heroes, they are the ones who served in the military so others can enjoy the freedoms of the greatest country in the world. The stories told by many veterans can only touch on what many of these brave individuals experienced during their tours of duty on foreign fields.
Veterans, the people who served in the United States Military, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard, whether in times of peace or war.
Veterans Day, celebrated on November 11, each year, a national holiday which was originally known as Armistice Day, until President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed it Veterans Day in 1954. It is held on the same day World War 1 ended (on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
It’s when we honor all veterans, the living and the dead, making it different from Memorial Day when we pay tribute to those who lost their lives in combat.
I can relay the story of a close friend who spent three tours in Vietnam, later becoming a volunteer to Afghanistan and then remaining in the national guard until he retired. The story is not a pretty one. The man is a highly decorated individual who spent most of his time in combat duty, risking his life on a daily basis for the country he loved. Somehow he made it home, only to find a country divided. Still yet he finds this great land worth every moment he spent defending it.
I think of the battle scars these brave people live with day by day. There are no braver people in the world than those who will stand up and risk their own lives for others. My father was one of those men, your’s may have been also. If all the stories could be told, print could not hold them all.
I am an advocate for Veterans, they deserve our honor and praise. They protect our freedoms, our country, our rights, our liberty and our land. We owe a deep sacrifice to the brave men and women who donned the military uniform whether they volunteered or were drafted to service.
Many went in with dedication to their country before they were old enough to vote.
Before they could legally smoke a cigarette or drink an alcohol beverage, yet they proudly wore the uniform and defended this great land we call home. If you see a veteran today, a pat on the back, a thank you, a free meal, or just a smile for their service is in order. They are the best of the best! God Bless the U.S.A. and God Bless our Veterans.
Read the following quotes of four of our great Presidents of the past as spoke about Veteran’s of the United States, during Veteran’s Day services during their terms as commander and chief of the U.S. Military.
“In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower, Nov. 11, 1954
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy, Nov. 11, 1963
“We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty, though it never was. Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause.” – Ronald Reagan, Nov. 11, 1988
“It’s about how we treat our veterans every single day of the year. It’s about making sure they have the care they need and the benefits that they’ve earned when they come home. It’s about serving all of you as well as you’ve served the United States of America.” – Barack Obama, Nov. 11, 2010.