In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words:
“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…”
Over the years I heard the following story many times. How my mother-in-law lived in Corinth with her mother while her husband was overseas fighting in the Great War. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, she heard sirens and fire bells ringing and ran out of the house, not sure what was going on. A neighbor who had been listening to her radio told her the war was over–fighting had stopped. It would be another seven months before the Treaty of Versailles was signed and her husband returned home.
In 1954 the name was changed from Armistice Day which honored WWI veterans to Veterans Day to honor all who have served our country.
So, to all Veterans, I salute you. Thank you for serving your country and preserving our freedom.
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Yes!! So many incredible people serving their country! Over here we celebrate ANZAC Day (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps, I think) on the 25th of April, the day Anzac troops stormed the beaches of Gallipoli, in Turkey. A couple of years ago we celebrated its 100th anniversary, attending the dawn service at Auckland Museum. There were around 10,000 people there, I think. It was incredible!
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I love learning about other countries, Monique! And I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand/Australia since the Thorn Birds. 🙂 My brother-in-law and a few of his flying buddies came there many years ago and they loved their trip. Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for that story, Pat, and your reminder to us all that we should be grateful to all who have and are serving to protect us.
I remember in grade school, we all took a short pause at 11:11AM on 11/11 to remember fallen service men and women. We also had wonderful parades on the 4th of July, and other times, in my small home town. I miss those public displays of patriotism.
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I’m happy to report that we still have a Veteran’s Day Parade, Tim. I’m hoping to get downtown to cheer our veterans on.
Good for your town, Pat. Sadly, my home town no longer does.
My adopted city of Tucson does, however. This will be the 100th annual. We currently have heavy overcast skies. I hope that doesn’t discourage folks from turning out. Our biggest military presence here is the huge Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
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Here in Corinth, we actually have warm weather (60+) and no rain like what was expected. Should be a nice crowd.
Pat, Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.
God Bless ALL those who have served and are currently serving!
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Amen, Caryl!
Pat, I appreciate you sharing this. This is the day to celebrate our veterans. I get a bit perturbed when some of them want to be recognized on Memorial Day, as if they lost their lives in battle (but are still walking among us). My dad was a veteran of World War II. Although he came home, fighting in the European Theater messed up his nerves big time. I can’t celebrate him on Memorial Day – that would indicate he didn’t come home, and I wouldn’t be me. He and my mother married the day after he returned home and I was born ten months later. Thank God, he was a veteran and not a memory. He passed away when I was 28 years old, so I have lived much longer without him now than the years I lived with him.
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I fear many who don’t know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans day are becoming the majority because they don’t know our history. And that does not bode well for America. Thanks for stopping by and joining the discussion, Edward.