Veterans Day

2009-11-03T07:02:00.000-08:00

November is a month of anticipation for the upcoming holiday season but it also marks another special date-November 11th to honor our veterans. On Veterans Day, we are given the opportunity to remember and to thank the men and women in the Armed Services for their bravery and sacrifices for our freedoms.

Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I as well as the soldiers who served. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month signified the end of World War I. However, after having been through World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd Congress amended the act by striking the word "armistice" and inserting the word"veterans".

One of the most memorable and haunting war poems ever written was "In Flanders Fields," by physician Lt.Col. John McCrae:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The lark, still bravely signing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, through poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

From the Shelf

Veterans Day