Veteran's Day, November 11

[Weedygarden]

I want to thank all of the veterans for their service and to honor you for that, no matter where or how you served. You stepped up and served our country for our freedom. Thank you.

Wikipedia
Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.[1][2] It began, and now coincides with other holidays, including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are commemorated in other countries, marking the anniversary of the end of World War I.[3] Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.[4]

Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, a U.S. public holiday in May: Veterans Day commemorates the service of all U.S. veterans, while Memorial Day specifically honors those who have died while in military service.[5] Another military holiday that also occurs in May, Armed Forces Day, honors those currently serving in the U.S. military. Additionally, Women Veterans Day is recognized by a growing number of U.S. states that specifically honor women who have served in the U.S. military.

 

[Weedygarden]

Somewhere I have a felt red poppy that I started, but I don't think I ever finished. I'll dig around in my crafting materials and see if I can find it so that I can finish it to wear on Monday.

"A lovely military man selling poppies stopped me today and asked if he could reposition mine - while doing so he told me that women should wear their poppy on their right side; the red represents the blood of all those who gave their lives, the black represents the mourning of those who didn't have their loved ones return home, and the green leaf represents the grass and crops growing and future prosperity after the war destroyed so much. The leaf should be positioned at 11 o'clock to represent the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the time that World War One formally ended. He was worried that younger generations wouldn't understand this and his generation wouldn't be around for much longer to teach them. "

 

[d_marsh]

“Veterans know better than anyone else the price of freedom, for they’ve suffered the scars of war. We can offer them no better tribute than to protect what they have won for us.” -President Ronald Reagan​

​

 

[Mountain trapper]

Unfortunately it's turned in to a day to sell mattresses and cars.

 

[d_marsh]

Unfortunately it's turned in to a day to sell mattresses and cars.

No one loves the warrior, until the enemy is at the gate.

 

[Bacpacker]

I too would like to offer my sincere THANK YOU to all the Vets on here and everywhere. Your sacrifice is much appreciated

 

[zoomzoom]

And a big Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps. 249 years old tomorrow, Nov 10.
Semper Fi

 

[Ekatarina]

 

[d_marsh]

 

[d_marsh]

 

[d_marsh]

 

[d_marsh]

Just a reminder that not every veteran loves Veterans day. Not every veteran feels honored and appreciated on November 11th. Not every veteran will line up for a free meal or some other kind of discount. Not every veteran will attend a ceremony or celebration. Not every veteran will get the day off from work. Not every veteran will remember with fondness their time in service. Not every veteran will spend the day like every other day. Not every veteran loves Veterans day.

Thank you to everyone who may read this for your service and sacrifice. Thank you for guarding the gate. Thank you for putting it all on the line. Thank you to your families who did the same. I hope your wounds have healed. I hope your scars have faded. I hope your memories are quiet. I hope you are able to feel the love and respect of a grateful nation. I would have been honored to serve with each and everyone of you, regardless of branch, regardless of war. If called to serve again, I will tie my boots, load my rifle and report for duty. And I am positive you would too.

 

[Ekatarina]

 

[montanabill]

Our local elementary school is named for a helicopter pilot that lost his life in Vietnam. Every veterans day they have a school program where the kids learn songs and veterans who are related are invited for the program.
I am going as a substitute grandpa for a 11 year old we know.
I first attended when the kiddo we have been raising was attending the school....it was the first time I had been to anything that honored all veterans. Since I enlisted in 1969 and didn't go to vietnam and the general public wasn't especially thankful for veterans back then.
The thing is my grandfather, father , two brothers also all served in the armed forces.. So in that time and with the draft still in effect it was the thing to do. Glad I did at that time in my life but it was what American men were expected to do.

 

[dademoss]

 

[sonya123]

Spare some thoughts for my daughter and son in law. He is currently on a ship in the middle east somewhere, and she hasn't talked to him in weeks. It was also his birthday yesterday.

Happy veterans day to all that served !

 

[rice paddy daddy]

I was raised by the Great Depression/World War Two generation to believe in the concepts of duty, honor, country.
So when my time came, in 1967, I enlisted in the Army.
I am NOT a hero, but I did serve alongside some.
I am just a survivor.

And a big salute to my Brothers and Sisters who raised their right hands and swore the oath.

 

[d_marsh]

 

[d_marsh]

 

[Peanut]

 

[d_marsh]

Veterans Day is for those who served, not those who perished in service. But when Veterans Day rolls around, I can't help but spend my day thinking more about those who did not come home than those who did.

 

[Weedygarden]

Veterans Day is for those who served, not those who perished in service. But when Veterans Day rolls around, I can't help but spend my day thinking more about those who did not come home than those who did.

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I used to be confused about this. I didn't realize that Memorial Day is only for deceased. I should have realized that though because we always decorated graves.

 

[d_marsh]

I used to be confused about this. I didn't realize that Memorial Day is only for deceased. I should have realized that though because we always decorated graves.

You and many many Americans:

Armed forces day - Currently serving

Memorial day - Those who died in service

Veterans Day - Those who once served

 

[sonya123]

You and many many Americans:

Armed forces day - Currently serving

Memorial day - Those who died in service

Veterans Day - Those who once served

I didn't actually know that...

I do know more people die in the military now than you would expect even if they are not in a war directly . My daughter and her husband used to be ceremonial guards in DC doing funerals ( and other things) at Arlington cemetery. They burried many servicemen and women in the few years they did this
Daughter personally witnessed 2 guys die in a plane crash while they were practicing. It was her plane she worked on but thankfully not anything she had anything to do with. It was a mechanical failure of some sort that couldn't have been prevented. One guy survived and is now paralysed

 

[rice paddy daddy]

The military is an inherently dangerous profession. Even in peacetime.
A nephew of mine was killed 40 years ago at 29 Palms Marine Base when a young Marine stole a Deuce And A Half (truck) and drove it through a night encampment killing a number of men asleep in their tents.

And live training with explosives, artillery, tanks, etc kills men and now women every year.
The public just doesn't hear about it unless they look for it.

 

[d_marsh]

This was sent to me today, thought I would share:

I pledge allegiance to the American Flag; forever may she wave.
God bless those covered with her as they're lowered to their grave.
We must not take for granted the freedoms that we share
and the soldiers that protect us in our darkest hour.
Soldiers leave their loved ones to heed their country's call,
ready to place their lives in danger, willing to give it all.
Sleepless nights and endless days are common, but they know
without the blood of patriots, the freedom tree won't grow.
Through hail, rain, snow, and heat, blood, sweat, and tears,
they march into the heat of battle, pushing aside their fears.
When the physical battle is over, the mental battle begins.
For some, it's only temporary, for others, it never ends,
so pray for all of our soldiers, and let us never forget
we can never repay them; we will always be in their debt.

 

[Peanut]

Today may be for those of us who served but I always spend it thinking of those who aren't here to feel the appreciation. I guess I don't feel it either, only feel the sadness for those lost.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

Today may be for those of us who served but I always spend it thinking of those who aren't here to feel the appreciation. I guess I don't feel it either, only feel the sadness for those lost.

That hits me the most at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Those holidays have not been happy for me since 1970.

 

[Neb]

I accept accolades when they come but don't expect them. Service was a matter of duty to country.

Ben

 

[montanabill]

Today I attended a assembly at our local elementary school named for a helicopter pilot who died in viet nam. K thru 5th grade and they met everyone at the door and handed out a individually hand drawn and colored American flag on one side of the 8X10 piece of paper and a thank you written on the other side.
In the gym the various grades each sang one of the services songs. Then they had a video presentation with photos of the grandpa's and grandma's when they were in the military and a photo of them today with their kids and grandkids. Also photos of the current service members with their kids.
The local cub scouts brought in and retired the colors and all in all it was a great day. Talking to the principal she said they are one of the only schools that does this type of program.