They are dead; but they live in each patriot’s breast, and their names are engraven on honor’s bright crest,” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11 because it was on November 11, 1918 that World War I (known as the war to end all wars) started to slow down. The Treaty of Versailles, officially ending the war, wasn’t signed until the next year, but on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the Germans reached an agreement with the Allied forces to stop the war.
In 1919, that day was known as Armistice Day in the United States. It wasn’t until 1954 that the name of the national holiday was changed to Veterans Day by President Eisenhower.
Fast forward to 2008. Another Veteran’s Day has come and gone in the United States. Across the country (and across the globe, wherever the US Military happens to be) Veteran’s were honored in a lot of different ways.
President George W. Bush issued a proclamation for Veteran’s Day 2008.
“Our country is forever indebted to our veterans for their quiet courage and exemplary service. We also remember and honor those who laid down their lives in freedom’s defense. These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit. On Veterans Day, we remember these heroes for their valor, their loyalty and their dedication. Their selfless sacrifices continue to inspire us today as we work to advance peace and extend freedom around the world.
…snip…
Now, therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2008, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 9 through November 15, 2008, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage all Americans to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers. I call upon federal, state, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs.
That’s right. Just because Veteran’s Day is over, doesn’t mean you should stop thinking about Veterans and what they’ve sacrificed to keep our great country free.
Bush, Cheney and Obama all marked Veterans Day as wars continue around the globe.
Pepsi bottling group donated to Fisher House Foundation in honor of the 3,000 veterans working for Pepsi.
The Veteran’s Administration Secretary Dr. James B. Peake had this to say:
Ninety years ago today, the guns fell silent in Europe. World War I – the “war to end all wars” – was over. Almost five million Americans served during that first modern, mechanized war. Our last living link with them, 107-year-old Army veteran Frank Buckles, observes this Veterans Day at his farm in West Virginia.
It is important, on Veterans Day, for all Americans to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our veterans, from Mr. Buckles to the men and women who recently fought for us in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their bravery, their resourcefulness, and their patriotism mark them as our nation’s finest citizens.
All across the nation, flags and parades helped recognize veterans still living and ones who lost their lives in war. From Texas to Boston, Americans showed their gratitude toward veterans in various patriotic ways.
Some of the stories are just amazing. Like the tale of the tail-gunner in World War II who ran missions in a B-24. Veterans from the World War I also have a lot of stories to tell.
The mainstream media weren’t the only ones to document Veteran’s Day 2008 either. The world of blogs also made sure their voice was heard on the topic.
And if you’re tired of reading about Veterans Day 2008, there’s a lot of visual content out there as well. Flickr currently has over 8,000 images tagged for Veterans Day 2008. From flags to parades to other patriotic shots, if you’re a visual person you’ll want to check out all the great photos online.
If photos aren’t your cup of tea, YouTube currently has around 1,000 videos tagged Veterans Day 2008. Now, some of those will be duplicates and some of them will be garbage videos, but you’re more than likely to find a lot of great video coverage if you didn’t get enough on television.
However you do it and whenever you do it, just don’t forget to honor those men and women who have so valiantly defended the principles of the United States and democracy around the world. From the past to the present, please remember all our troops around the world.
Sgt. Stryker Signing Out.
