Thoughts For The Day For Veterans Day Observed

“All of us who served in one war or another know very well  that all wars are the glory and the agony of the young.”

     - President Gerald R. Ford

History of Veterans Day

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day to remind Americans of the tragedies of war. The fighting in World War I had ended a year earlier, at 11 A.M., November 11, 1918 (the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month).

Two years later on Armistice Day, an unknown American World War I soldier was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., in the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Thousands of people came to watch the elaborate ceremonies that took place. Similar ceremonies had taken place the previous year in England and France: an unknown English soldier was buried in Westminster Abbey in London, and an unknown French soldier was buried at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

In 1926, Congress passed a resolution calling for the observance of Armistice Day in schools, churches, and other suitable places. Twelve years later the day was designated as a national holiday. In 1939, a year after Armistice Day became a national holiday, World War II broke out in Europe. The start of this war ended the idealistic hopes that World War I was “the war to end all wars.” Over four hundred thousand American troops died in World War II.

After the Korean War (1950–1953), during which over 36,000 Americans died, Congress considered making Armistice Day a day to commemorate veterans of all wars, not only those who served in World War I. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming the holiday a remembrance of all wars and changing its name to Veterans Day.

A law passed in 1968 moved the Veterans Day celebration to the fourth Monday in October.

However, the original date, November 11, was historically significant to many Americans, and ten years later the observation of Veterans Day returned to its original date.

In 1958, two more unidentified American soldiers were laid to rest next to the unknown soldier of World War I. One of the soldiers was killed in World War II, and the other in the Korean War. In 1984, a fourth unknown serviceman was added to the tomb. He had died in the Vietnam War.

However, in 1998, the identity of the Vietnam War soldier was discovered through DNA testing, and his remains were returned to his family. The crypt reserved for the unknown soldier from the Vietnam War is now empty.  Veterans Day celebrations include parades and speeches held in towns and cities throughout the United States. The focal point for national ceremonies, however, continues to be the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery and the amphitheater surrounding it.

Every year, special services begin at 11 A.M. with two minutes of silence. After the playing of “Taps,” the president places a wreath at the tomb. A color guard procession and several speeches, one of them usually by the president, follow it. Approximately 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.

Today marks the anniversary  of the armistice that ended World War I, a day now  known in the U.S, as  Veterans' Day. I never served in the military, for which I am sure they are  thankful. Like many others, I certainly have not approved of all the military adventures in  which our nation has participated, but I honor those who have served. On this day I say, "Thank you!" 

“However horrible the incidents of war may be, the soldier who is called upon to offer and to give his life for his country is the noblest development of mankind.”   …General Douglas MacArthur, 1880 - 1964 

 

Veteran’s Day Recipe:  Navy Bean Soup 16 ounce package dried navy beans water 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes 1 onion, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 pound chopped ham 1 cube chicken bouillon 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley salt & pepper to taste 1 bay leaf Soak beans overnight in enough water to cover the beans but an inch or so. Drain. Combine beans, vegetables, ham, seasonings and enough water to cover in a stock pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for two hours.  Add more water 2-3 cups or as much as needed. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for another 2 hours. Discard bay leaf before serving.

Please add our troops and their families to your Christmas and Thanksgiving prayers!  Remember, whether you support the present war or not… We are at war and we have troops giving their lives almost daily~

 

Also… yesterday, November 10, 2008 was the 233rd birthday of the United States Marine Corps. 

Marine Corps Tribute

 God Bless Our Troops Everywhere!!

Thought For The Day 10.11.08

"Confidence, discipline and leadership...These are benefits you gain from being deployed with a unit working for a common goal under very tough circumstances."  …Ron White

 Got this note and today’s quote from a business associate earlier today and felt I should share it

As many of you know, I still serve in the Navy as a reservist and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2007, and have several reservist friends who have been deployed to Iraq. A few months ago a man asked me, "Ron why would someone in your position with your business want to stay in the military when you are eligible to get out?"  Without hesitation I replied, "There is so much that I get from being in the military that it significantly outweighs everything that I give." He then asked,"Like what?"

 His response was today’s quote:  "Confidence, discipline and leadership...These are benefits you gain from being deployed with a unit working for a common goal under very tough circumstances."

 

Navy Seals

The U.S. Navy SEALS were established by John F. Kennedy in 1962 as a small, elite maritime military force. They carry out the types of clandestine, small-unit, high impact missions that large forces with high-profile platforms (such as ships, tanks, jets and submarines) cannot. They are without question the most elite military group on the planet. These men enter a training called ‘BUDS’. This program is designed to weed out the weak and it does just that. 80% of the men who enter this program quit before the completion. The 20% who remain are the most physically and mentally fit men our nation has to offer. Just to enter BUDS a man will have to meet minimum physical requirements that the average man cannot.

This incredibly unique group has accomplished remarkable goals in the last 50 years many of which will never be detailed because of their top secret nature. However, what is plainly obvious is that these individuals who earn the right to be called a SEAL have a mental thought process that is different from the average Joe. It could be said that they are mentally programmed for success.

U.S. Navy SEALs have gone on to become governors (Jessie Ventura), U.S. Senators, CEOs of BILLION dollar companies, space shuttle commanders and our nation’s top leaders and entrepreneurs. There is something there…why does this small group always seem to consistently achieve high results when they leave the SEALs? It is because the mindset that they bring to the SEALs is one that they take with them into the business world and their careers when they leave. These men are accomplishing PHENOMENAL achievements! 

Other groups of special forces, military pilots, submariners, etc share a similar mindset with the Seals… and anyone who has served, especially in combat, ends up with traits that rarely can be acquired anywhere else.  I usually try to remain non-political, but I can tell you having the opportunity to have a man like John McCain as our leader, is an opportunity that needs to be seized.  I can also tell you that because of both my business connections and my active military service… what the average American is being told by the main steam media is far from true.

My friends and fellow Americans, I don’t mean to preach but there really isn’t a choice on November 4^th. The right man for the job, with the experience, with the necessary mindset and with a heart full of patriotism for America stands before you, ready to serve, as he has his entire adult life.  Should the election go the other way, the depth of the problems our Country faces will make our present situation seem like a ‘walk in the park’.