11.11.14

Veterans Day: In Honor Of All Who Served


"This day, and every day, we pay tribute to America's sons and daughters who have answered our country's call. We recognize the sacrifice of those who have been part of the finest fighting force the world has ever known and the loved ones who stand beside them. We will never forget the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice and all those who have not yet returned home. As a grateful Nation, let us show our appreciation by honoring all our veterans and working to ensure the promise of America is within the reach of all who have protected it." Excerpt from President Barack Obama’s Proclamation on Veterans Day 2014
Are you familiar with the history and ceremony around Veterans Day? Veterans Day is a special day that honors all our service men and women, living and dead, who fought in wars. Initially, it honored those who served in the World wars but now includes all Veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces.  

How did it start? On November 11, 1947, Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama, organized a Veterans Day parade to honor all of America's Veterans for their loyal service. At the time, it was known as Armistice Day. Later, U.S. Representative Edward H. Rees of Kansas proposed legislation to change the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in honor of all who have served this country. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day. In 1968, the date was moved to the fourth Monday in October, but Congress soon recognized the historical importance of November 11th and changed it back in 1978.

What is the Ceremony like? The tradition of having the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery continues till this day. On the morning of the 11th, at 11AM, a group of guards from each of the military services, pay their respects to those who died at war in an impressive ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The President or his designated representative then places a wreath at the Tomb. A bugler sounds “Taps.” which is quite haunting and then the ceremony moves to the Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb. A "Parade of Flags" by Veterans service organizations is also part of the second half of ceremonies on that day. The Veterans Day National Committee which organizes the ceremony, also supports a number of Veterans Day Regional Sites: There are 67 sites in 39 states and the sites hold a variety of community Veterans Day celebrations to keep the memories of loved ones lost alive. Did your/your community participate in it this year?

 More Below!
"The willingness of America's veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude." Jeff Miller
 
The American Veteran - Women at War

 This is a day of deep gratitude for those who gave their lives so we can live. While some might think it’s ironic to see peace as a goal of war, it is appropriate to encourage all to seek peace on this special day; both inner and outer peace. In remembering those who fought bravely to keep us safe, we must remember what peace means to us and how much we value it. Then we must think about how we can maintain peace in the world. May peace prevail in our hearts… What does this day mean to you? How do you honor Veterans Day? Thank you.  

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Veteran’s Day, Veterans-Armistice Day, via Wikipedia. VD Poster, via Dept of Veteran’s Affairs.


 Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet


64 comments:

  1. Interesting post thanks for sharing.

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  2. What a great post! We have a long line of Navy Veterans in our family.

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  3. My family has tons of veterans and I wish more people understood the history of this days and what it truly means

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  4. What a great post!! My grandfather, who recently passed away, was a Veteran. My father was in the Air Force also. My father in law was in the Army.

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  5. It is very informative post. Thank you for sharing.

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  6. We talk, we learn new facts, we discover but most of all we remember!

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  7. I learned a lot about Veteran's day by your post! I had no idea when it started :)

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  8. What a beautiful picture of our great nation! <3 Thanks for posting:) Hope you had a happy veterans day too!

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  9. I think it's important to pause and think of our active and retired military. They deserve a day and more!

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  10. I did not know when it started.. thanks for this history lesson!

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  11. This is an amazing post. I love learning the history of holidays, especially one as important as this one. Thanks!

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  12. Great post!!!!!! Thanks for sharing :):)

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  13. Thanks for sharing! It's really important to remember our fallen heroes and what they've done for us!

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  14. The veterans really deserve the honor of having veterans day. They have sacrificed a lot for their country.

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  15. I have all respect for Navy Veterans and their families for doing what they've done for us. A great post.

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  16. My dad is an army veteran, veterans day is very important in my family.

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  17. What a great post. I would like to say thank you to all the veterans and current military men and women. I have a nephew leaving for boot camp in Feb. We are so proud of him.

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  18. What a great way to honor our service men and women!

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  19. Thanks to all who served. And to the families who "serve" as well.

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  20. I support our troops. I have many family members in the army and we can not forget our Veterans that made all this possible. Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. Thanks for sharing this information about Veteran's Day. My father was in the Navy, so it means a lot to me.

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  22. Great post, I've learnt so much.

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  23. Veterans deserve our respect and government support.

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  24. My husband is a retired Vet, so we celebrated on Tuesday :)

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  25. It's so important to remember all those who've fought and died for their country. Thanks for sharing some facts on Veterans Day, I've never heard much about it before being from Ireland.

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  26. I never knew the history behind Veteran's day or why it was celebrated on November 11th. Thanks for sharing!

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  27. What a thoughtful post. The story behind the Holiday is really interesting, too!

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  28. This is a great post. I grew up in a military family. We know a lot of Veterans.

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  29. Thanks for sharing Veterans Day history. I learned some things.

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  30. Very great post, Thanks for sharing and supporting our veterans.

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  31. Great post, we honor loved ones past and present who served to keep us safe and allow us the freedoms we have

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  32. What a great post! We all should honor our veterans. Thanks to all who have served.

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  33. Lots of great information, not everyone truly is aware of all that this day means.

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  34. This is a great post! My Dad served and I am very proud of him <3

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  35. I am proud of my brother who served more than two decades in service of his country. Thank you for honoring our brave heroes.

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  36. My husband come from a long line of Native American vets and served in the Army himself. I'm so honored that my boys have that heritage.

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  37. Veterans day is so important to honor our service men and women of today and of the past. My daughter joined the army at 19. I am very proud of her.

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  38. Thanks for your post. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

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  39. Growing up we never really treated vets special. I don't remember ever thanking a vet as a kid, and I heard a lot of hate towards the Vietnam soldiers. Its strange to see such a turn in public opinion, and common sense. We should always honor our military, vets and current, they sign up to give their lives for us. They should never have been treated the way the Vietnam vets were, and sometimes are still. Anyway, rant over..this is a wonderful article.

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  40. This is a great article. We should never forget the men and women who fought for us.

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  41. great post thanks so much

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  42. Thank you for this post. We always participate in our cceremonies here. Both of my sons are active Army. One beiing Special Forces juicy rreturned home afterr a years deploment.It's a small thing to do for ou veterans in comparison to what they risk for all of us. Thank you again for the history of this day.
    Carrol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  43. I was a Vietnam vet. Thanks for the post.

    slehan at juno dot com

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  44. I have a lot of family members that are currently serving or have already fought for our country!

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  45. Great post, thanks for sharing.

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  46. We have a ceremony every year where I work and it is nice to know where everything starts. Thank you.

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  47. I was so surprised to read that it started in 1947. For some reason I was thinking the date would have gone way back due to all the wars we have encountered, but those earlier ones were more based on homeland. Either way it's a great tribute to all those who have lost their lives to keep us free. God bless them all.

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  48. I have ten family members that are either retired or active in the Marine Corps. God Bless them!

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  49. Thanks for sharing! I feel like this is something they should share with the kiddos at school.

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  50. I served in the Air Force for 17 years.

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  51. This was a beautiful post,thanks for taking the time to remember our veterans and what they did for us and our country

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  52. thanks for doing this post and thank you to all our soldiers past, present and fallen and their families.

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  53. The weekend prior to it my family attended a ceremony honoring veterans. Trees were planted in honor of some veterans in my family (great grandfather and great uncles) and the whole ceremony was very nice.

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  54. Having a hard time finding anything else to post on that is non giveaway. This is a great post though.

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  55. Veterans Day had a special meaning for me this year as my son joined the US Navy this year. Thankful for all who serve and have served to protect our country.

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  56. Love this post! It should be copied and distributed to all school kids and their parents!

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  57. what a good post! there should be more like it.

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  58. Great post and our Veterans deserve tons of praise!

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  59. I never knew the history of Veteran's day. This is some good information.

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  60. Such an important day that often gets overlooks unfortunately.

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  61. I really appreciate all of our people who have fought for our freedom. They deserve so my more than they get. May God Bless them and their families

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  62. I can't tell you how much I appreciate our veterans. I do not think enough is being done for them. They pt their life on the line for all of us. Thank you for sharing this great article

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  63. Coming from a Military family the appreciation that we see in our little town is so wonderful. My husband, and father at least once a week hear "Thank you for your service." A lot of that has to do with the ball caps they where daily. But it still means a lot to them both. Thank you so much for sharing this for all.

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