11th Hour…11th Day….11th Month
by dsmouse ~ November 11th, 2007. Filed under: Just....Stuff.Armistice Day ended “The Great War” on Nov. 11, 1918. One year later, President Wilson proclaimed the first US Celebration of Armistice Day:
“To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M.
In 1954, President Eisenhower signed legislation to rename the day “Veteran’s Day” proclaiming:
WHEREAS it has long been our customs to commemorate November 11, the anniversary of the ending of World War I, by paying tribute to the heroes of that tragic struggle and by rededicating ourselves to the cause of peace; and Whereas in the intervening years, the United States has been involved in two other great military conflicts, which have added millions of veterans living and dead to the honor rolls of this Nation….
For many people, Veteran’s Day is simply an extra day off.
A long weekend…a day when there is no mail….a day for sales at Macy’s….a day when the banks are closed.
I hope, though, that if you are one of these people…you take a moment to remember the why’s behind this day… Veteran’s Day…. And the sacrifice that hundreds of thousands of men and women…..
Remember their sacrifices…and remember the losses of friends and family members…..
More from me in a bit….
all photos are mine and taken at Arlington National Cemetery November 2007
May 24th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
[...] my first visit to Arlington….but not unlike other visits I’ve made over the years. (photos here of my November 2007 visit). As a promise to The Pilot Guy, I visit a friend’s grave whenever I go to DC. I failed a [...]
November 11th, 2008 at 7:54 am
[...] - for those who are looking for more Arlington photos or my post from last year: History of Veteran’s Day | Some Personal Thoughts « To sleep…perchance to [...]