November 4, 2010 11:02 PM
History of Veterans Day
Veterans Day is next Thursday, November 11. Posting early so you can teach your kids:
American Minute for November 11th:The 11th hour of the 11TH DAY OF THE 11TH MONTH of 1918, World War I ended. Though the Armistice was signed at 5:00 AM, fighting continued till 11:00 AM, killing nearly 11,000 more men.
In 1921, President Warren Harding had the remains of an unknown soldier killed in France buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. Inscribed on the Tomb are the words: "Here lies in honored glory an American soldier know but to God."
Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all U.S. Veterans.
In 1958, President Eisenhower placed soldiers in the tomb from WWII and the Korean War. The soldier from Vietnam, buried by President Reagan in 1984, was identified by DNA tests as pilot Michael Blassie and was reburied in 1998 at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.
On NOVEMBER 11, 1921, President Harding stated:
"On the threshold of eternity, many a soldier, I can well believe, wondered how his ebbing blood would color the stream of human life, flowing on after his sacrifice...I can sense the prayers of our people...Let me join in that prayer. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come..."
Subscribe to William J. Federers' American Minute here.
Posted in Holidays, Veterans Day | Permalink
Comments
I appreciate your posting this. For too many, Veteran's Day has become another day to go shopping for great deals. My brother nearly lost his life in Viet Nam. My three brothers-in-law also served in Nam. My father did not serve in WWII, because when he reported for his physical, the doctor classified him as 4F (flat feet) and told him, "The country needs farmers, too." But my uncles served. My grandfather served in WWI.
I am so grateful that my family was blessed to have all of them returned to us, and I hope everyone will observe November 11 with the true purpose in their heart: with deep gratitude to those who have served, and especially those who gave their last full measure of devotion in defense of our freedoms.
Posted by: Kathy | November 5, 2010 10:01 AM
