While we all know that World War I ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, there was actually a cessation of hostilities between Allied nations and Germany seven months earlier…on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, or November 11, 1918, thereby ending “the war to end all wars”. So in November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the day we commemorate this day of cease fire as 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…”
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the last of the wars America got into. After we got through World War II, the idea of Armistice Day didn’t feel right. What about those that fought in the second war? This was a mobilization of soldiers on a much grander scale, the largest in history. And we can’t forget the Korean War. Because we seemed to have more than one reason to praise our soldiers for all their hard work and sacrifice, in 1954 the 83rd Congress replaced the word Armistice with Veterans, thus changing the national holiday once known as Armistice Day to forever become Veterans Day.
It’s a day we should all stop and be thankful for all of the brave Americans who have fought for our country’s freedom. We need to honor these veterans for their service, patriotism, love of country and sacrifice for our safety and prosperity. As civilians, we only know what we see or hear via the media; we really have no idea what it’s like to be in those soldiers’ shoes. As a daughter of a Vietnam vet, I honestly don’t know much because my dad doesn’t like to talk about that time in his life, so I can only imagine it was terrible. All I know is what the medals & stars on his uniform stand for. But there is something special that needs to be instinctual in order to want to give up so much of your life to not only protect the ones you love, but a country full of people you don’t even know. It’s as close to a superhero that we really have, if you really think about it.
When this holiday was originally created, it was supposed to be a day of ticker tape parades and a brief suspension of business in order to appropriately honor these soldiers for their sacrifice and bravery in the face of evil. Sadly, it seems Veterans Day is the only time they even get recognized. Soldier assistance once they return is dismal. There are more wounded or impoverished men and women here in America than there should be. We spend trillions on war, yet have difficulty in spending millions on a soldier’s health and success once they return home to the country they protected. There’s something to be said for that. They looked after us, now it’s time for us to look after them.
At this point in history, I think every one of us is related to, or at least knows someone who has fought in one of these wars. It’s our job to support them and thank them for the safe lives we have. Why not start today? So from all of us at The Marketing Advantage – Farm Net, Inc., we would like to thank you for all of your service. No matter the branch of service you served in or when you enlisted, what you’ve done for us gives us the freedom to do what we do. And for that we honor you.
All gave some…some gave all.
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