OldTroubador's blog post - 11 November

A date remembered by people in many countries by many different names: Rememberance Day, Armistice Day, Veterans Day.
In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed a 'Day of Rememberance' for 11 November to honor the signing of the Armistice of Compeigne, which ended the fighting in Europe. The armistice went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and brought to an end the War to End All Wars. Unfortunately, it and the ensuing Treaty of Versailles were mere instruments which led to a much worse war twenty years later.

Following World War II, a man from Birmingham, AL, Raymond Weeks, petitioned the U.S. government to declare 11 November as a day to remember all veterans,living or fallen, not just those who gave their lives in World War I. This idea had popular backing from many people including Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. When Gen. Eisenhower became President, he sent a bill to Congress establishing 11 November as a national holiday to honor all veterans, past and present. Congress amended the bill, changing the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

Yesterday, I posted a blog about the United States Marine Corps to honor them on their birthday. Today, though, we honor all our veterans, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines, and all the reserve forces attendant to them. For without these intrepid souls, these men and women who fought and sometimes died to first gain our freedom from tyranny and then hold onto it, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy now. Their sacrifices of time away from home, of blood, of life shall not be forgotten.

The history of the wearing of a poppy flower also dates back to World War I. The Flanders region of Belgium was utterly devastated by the fighting. Some of the most concentrated and bloodiest fighting was here. The devastation was complete - buildings, roads, even towns were eradicated. Trees and all other natural life was gone. All that was left was a sea of mud, a massive graveyard for the soldiers of both sides, and yet the battle raged on. Come spring, the only signs of life, other than the soldiers, were fields of poppies - bringing hope, color, and reassurance to those still locked in combat. A poem titled "On Flanders Fields" by Lt. Col. John McCRae of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces mentioned the poppies growing there; inspired by this, American Moina Michael started wearing a red poppy to honor those who had fallen during the war. The American Legion quickly adopted this practice and soon, wearing a red poppy as a rememberance spread world wide.

So this Veterans Day, Rememberance Day, thank a veteran for the freedoms they have given us. Remember those that died, and salute those who survived. There are many here among us on NN who have served, and are still serving; many others have family or friends in the service of their respective country. Please, for a bit, forget the sales and spare a thought for those who have gone into harm's way to give us the life we have. It is important to remember that these men and women have bought and will continue to buy our freedom with their sacrifice of time away from loved ones. Our freedoms are underwritten with the blood spilled by those who have answered the call. Our rights are buttressed by the rows of white crosses at cemeteries around the world. Remember why this day has been set aside as a special day of rememberance in so many countries.
And so, on this day, may I say THANK YOU to all here who have served or are serving and to the families of all servicemen and women everywhere.

Lest we forget.


I have posted this video before on Memorial Day, but it is just as appropriate now. For those around the world, please substitute the name of your country for 'American'.