In Honor of Our Veterans
The first Armistice Day in the U.S. occurred on November 11, 1919, when President Woodrow Wilson declared that “to us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory. … ”
Armistice Day was declared a legal holiday by Congress nearly 20 years later. In 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day, following a national campaign to have the day honor all veterans, not just those who served in World War I.
Today Veterans Day in the U.S. is marked by parades and remembrance events across the country.
Seek out and spend time with a veteran, especially WWII vets, a population that is slowly disappearing. In 2000 the number of living U.S. WWII veterans was estimated at 5.5 million. Today there are fewer than two million WWI veterans thought to be alive.
I think that most of those surviving WWII Vets are living in my mother’s community in Florida. Every Memorial and Veterans Day they have a special Service and Parade for them where they sport their original Uniforms and it is greatest thing! The grandchildren and great grandchildren join them and listen to the stories at the grandstand to receive a first rate education in American History! Of course, so many of them live in Florida because they are retired and they are all adamant about driving only American made cars. Each one of them also has an American Flag positioned in front of their home. That is the one thing that is most noticable about them. They still own Fords, Buicks, Chevrolets and the rest of them. I have never seen more Lincoln Continentals and Ford Landrovers in my lifetime than when I attend these events! They are the most patriotic men on the planet!
I think that it is a national disgrace if the Pledge of Allegiance is not practiced as American tradition in all schools across the Country. If you don’t like it, you can always leave. No one is forcing anyone to stay here in the United States, that’s for sure. It is a great priviledge to be allowed to live in this Country and as such people should show their respect. First and foremost, the President of the United States!