Veterans Day: The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month

[jon1856]

To all those who have served their Country, both abroad and at home, we say Thanks.
http://mrmom.amaonline.com/special/womenareveterans.htm
http://mrmom.amaonline.com/veteran.htm
http://mrmom.amaonline.com/special/whatisavet.htm
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/
http://www.military.com/Content/More...ml?ESRC=dod.nl


O Valiant Hearts
“ O valiant hearts who to your glory came
through dust of conflict and through battle flame;
tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved,
your memory hallowed in the land you loved.

Proudly you gathered, rank on rank, to war
as who had heard God's message from afar;
all you had hoped for, all you had, you gave,
to save mankind — yourselves you scorned to save.”
Taken from:
John Stanhope Arkwright’s hymn “O Valiant Hearts”.

[Taualumna]

In Flanders Fields video from the Toronto Star

John McRae, author of the poem, was a Zeta Psi at the University of Toronto

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by Taualumna

In Flanders Fields video from the Toronto Star

John McRae, author of the poem, was a Zeta Psi at the University of Toronto

Heart felt and very touching.

[Scandia]

We salute you!!!

[Tom Earp]

What is sad, is an article in local paper about Veterns who are homeless and one was an Iraqi Vet in a bread line.

On a plus side, a Marine Vet from KC Ks, is having a house built and will be on Extreme Make Over as revealing is going on right now! Lost a leg and has four kids.

It is sad when so many give their lives or are injuried and not honored.

I have not seen the Big Viet Nam wall in D C, but have been to the travewling wall and it is very sobering to see so many names on it!

That is why I wanted to get my flag pole re-put back up and fly the Stars and Stripes!

Damn does it look good as I look up at it every morning and afternoon when I get home!

[RACooper]

A selection of "music videos" that I use to bring home Remembrance Day for some student groups that I give talks to...

The Bryan Adams & Department of Defense compilation video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xj0WX0jtJJI

Dropkick Murphy's: Green Fields of France
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZrQnnZJ68Xo

The Pogues: And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GPFjToKuZQM

and lastly a private group's Tribute to the British Fallen - (WARNING very emotional and with some graphic shots)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jtl5kmWrFLg


"Remembrance Day isn't only about honouring the fallen, or paying tribute to those who served... Remembrance Day is about remembering the horror of war, and never forgetting it's terrible cost... Remembrance Day is ultimately about praying for the day when the war is only a memory - but a cautionary memory, and hence the cautionary 'Lest We Forget'" (quoted from my speech at this year's service).

[DeltAlum]

I'll take today to think about the World War II veterans in particular -- including my father.

They are passing away in large numbers, and we owe them a lot.

[RACooper]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

They are passing away in large numbers, and we owe them a lot.

About 500 a week up here in Canada now... which is why the Royal Canadian Legion has been working so hard over the last decade to record and document the personal experiences of our veterans.

Incidentally there is only 1 surviving Great War vet left from Canada, and he's lived in the US since 1920 When he passes through there'll be a full state funeral and national day of mourning as declared by an Act of Parliament and Royal Decree...

[LightBulb]

I took a class on the history of the "Great War" (World War I), and it was indescribably devastating. I think people often forget its importance because people see it as overshadowed by World War II. They are both important to remember.

Europe memorialized the war very fittingly. For example, France put the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and its Eternal Flame at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe. Additionally, Britain built the Cenotaph, a giant tombstone without scriptures or other adornments. It was left this way so that every person could visit it and remember their loved veterans and imagine whatever they wanted written on it (and also because nothing seemed a fitting thing to say after the destruction). The British also wear red poppies every year in remembrance, as poppies are the first flowers to bloom in the fields each year, a sign of renewal of life from the fields where the trenches were.

Thank you to all the veterans out there!

[catiebug]

In my job, I send out an e-mail "Letter" every week to our members (about 160,000). I also do a broadcast based on this Letter. While reading it today, I was almost in tears when I came to the end of it. This is one thing I put in this week:

On Tuesday, November 11, Veterans Day -- called Remembrance Day or Armistice Day outside the US -- was celebrated all over the world. This day -- marking the end of World War I, the “War to end all Wars” -- has been set aside to honor all who have served their country. It was on November 11, 1918 -- on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month -- that Germany signed the Armistice, formally ending the hostilities that had been ongoing since 1914.

[Our organization] would like to take this opportunity to thank our service veterans. Whether they served on active duty or reserve, during peace time or time of conflict, they served their county with honor. We also would be remiss if we did not remember the families of those veterans who kept the homefires burning bright; without their love and support, our veterans would have indeed been alone.

[The staff at] Headquarters has its share of service veterans:
<<I put in a list of staff members who served in the Armed Forces here>>
Thank you for your service -- your sacrifice and the sacrifice of your fellow service members is not forgotten.