Veteran's Day
 

To all those on these threads that have served their country.

Thank you for your service and willingness to sacrifice, from a somewhat aged Navy veteran.

I'm off to the Weld County Veterans Memorial service.

I just did a search for a thread like this, but I couldn't find one. Thank you for starting this. Thank you to all the Veterans who have sacrificed so much.

This is the President's Proclamation for Veteran's Day found here.

Veterans Day, 2004
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

In Focus: Veterans

Americans live in freedom because of our veterans' courage, dedication to duty, and love of country. On Veterans Day, we honor these brave men and women who have served in our Armed Forces and defended our Nation.

Across America, there are more than 25 million veterans. Their ranks include generations of citizens who have risked their lives while serving in military conflicts, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and the war on terror. They have fought for the security of our country and the peace of the world. They have defended our founding ideals, protected the innocent, and liberated the oppressed from tyranny and terror. They have known the hardships and the fears and the tragic losses of war. Our veterans know that in the harshest hours of conflict they serve just and honorable purposes.

Through the years, our veterans have returned home from their duties to become active and responsible citizens in their communities, further contributing to the growth and development of our Nation. Their commitment to service inspires all Americans.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service men and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2004, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 7 through November 13, 2004, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I urge all Americans to recognize the valor 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 encourage 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.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

The history of Veteran's Day.

My mommy use to always take us to rembrance ceremonies at the country buildings in Hauppauge. Was out on the island a few weeks ago and was glad to see they are still there and some new ones too.

Thank you to all of you.

-Rudey

Veteran's day is a great holiday. Also, it's the day of armistace (WWI), and my birthday :-)

I spent three hours at the National Remembrance Day ceremony by parliment hill today, it was cold but there was still thousands of people there. It is always inspiring to see the veterans march into the ceremony, then do a march past of the Governor General (Queens representative in Canada and head of Government) while saluting. The emotion is always really strong.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

- John McCrae, 1915

It's devastating
 

Elderly veteran killed in parade tragedy
November 11, 2004
WHITMAN, Mass. -- An 80-year-old veteran was killed Thursday morning when he was run over by a van as he prepared to march in the town's Veteran's Day parade.

William Hammond, of Abington, was a decorated World War II Army veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. As captain of the color guard, he was lining up with fellow veterans at the start of the parade route when the van backed over him, witnesses said.

The van was owned by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter and was operated by a close friend of Hammond. The driver, who was not identified, was taken to a local hospital to be treated for distress.

"It's devastating," said Richard Slowey, adjutant of VFW Post 697. "Bill is a very warm and very kind person."

A man who answered the phone at Hammond's house declined to comment. Post members said he and his wife, Irene, had several children and that Hammond owned a contracting business.

Thank you to my father (Vietnam), my grandfathers (WW II), and all of those who have served this country with such dignity and courage.

I've spent the day thanking veterans for their acts of heroism - even if it meant enlisting, just in case. What wonderful men and women have served this country! God bless each and every one of them!

Re: Veteran's Day
 

Ditto! :)

I would like to thank all veterans especially the Merchant Marines, an often overlooked group during this day of remembrance.