Thank You, Veterans
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
November 10, 2011
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 the artillery fell silent and the Armistice signed ending the war to end all wars, a.k.a. the Great War, sadly renamed World War I.
Thank you, men and women who have served and do serve in the United States Army, established June 14, 1775.
This year is the mother of all Veterans Days as this is the year 2011, so at the 11th hour of 11/11/11 the United States will commemorate the 92nd anniversary of honoring the men and women who have served in the armed forces.
Thank you, men and women who have served and do serve in the United States Navy, established October 13, 1775.
President Woodrow Wilson declared the first ever Armistice Day November 11, 1919. In 1954 President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name of the observance to Veterans Day, encompassing those who served in all American armed conflicts from the American Revolution through the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. This includes the Cold War and the ongoing War on Terror.
Thank you, men and women who have served and do serve in the United States Air Force, established September 18, 1947.
From Bunker Hill to San Juan Hill; from the Alamo to Antietam; from Monmouth to Midway; from Dresden to Desert Storm; from Brandywine to Bull Run and from Omaha Beach to Okinawa, American troops have served with dignity, distinction and determination. They deserve our thanks not just on Veterans Day, but every day. When encountering a serviceman or servicewoman, approach them and thank them for their service to a great and grateful nation. They will absolutely appreciate that gesture.
Thank you, men and women who have served and do serve in the United States Marine Corps, established November 10, 1775.
Volunteering time with and contributing to organizations that help and support veterans – the wounded, the blind, the ones suffering from PTSD, the ones who can’t find work upon leaving the service – is a very tangible manner in which to serve those who have served us in harm’s way. And, sadly it is vital, as the men and women in uniform are so terribly underpaid by a government hell bent on rewarding lawbreakers with benefits.
Thank you, men and women who have served and do serve in the United States Coast Guard, first established as the Revenue Cutter Service, August 4, 1790.
Remember, freedom isn’t free and millions of Americans from all walks of life, whose families immigrated from near and far have put their lives on the line so that we may live freely in the greatest country on G-d’s earth. For that, thank you.
Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.
[This column appeared on http://www.alexandrianews.org/.]
[This column appeared on http://www.alexandrianews.org/.]
Well written and you have put my thoughts into words.
ReplyDeleteOne of your best pieces! And very effective. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteA very nice piece and tribute to armed forces. Before I waded through all of my email and came across yours the thought hit me - did our men and women in arms give their lives so that there could be a super sale at furniture stores, car dealerships, etc.? At what point did the day of remembrance and celebration of those who have served our country become an excuse to go out and buy a new TV at a discounted price. It seems there are so many better ways to thank those who served. Thank you for taking the time to write a proper tribute to the troop, both past and present.
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