Sunday, November 11, 2007

VETERANS DAY 2007

Here is an exerpt of the history of Veterans Day which was orignally known as Armistice Day taken from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs website:

"World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

"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…"

Today we honor our veterans for defending our freedom.  We owe a debt that can never be repaid to our veterans who sacrificed and fought for the greatest country this world has ever seen and the freedom we enjoy today.  Most Americans have absolutely no idea what kind of a sacrifice it is just to sign one's name to join the Service.  It doesn't matter whether they see action or not.  Just talk to their families and you'll hear a small part of the sacrifice that is made to be in our military.  Take the time to study history.  Not just the general history of World Wars I & II, but specific accounts.  You will have to agree that considering the lack of resources and manpower in those days compared to today, there is no way we could have even maintained a war of that scale such as we did in WWII in both the European and Pacific theaters except by prayer.  There were so many "hunches" that our troops followed that paid off that I believe were instances of Divine wisdom.  I urge everyone to take the time to thank God for America, the freedoms we take for granted all too often, and those who made it possible then and now.

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Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities.  This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on Nov. 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect. 

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

We should never forget, Dirk

Anonymous said...

The Bible tells us there is no power on earth God has not allowed.  So it had to be his intent and purpose to help the allies win against tyranny and evil.  I pray more could come to see the same equivalents in the war on terror today.  -  Barbara

Anonymous said...

Thank you for such an informative entry for Veteran's Day. (Hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

Excellent and thoughtful Dirk- I pray that many of our youngest generation will realize just what sacrifices the greatest generation gave for us all, and that Veteran's Day is not just another day off school- but to really find out about what America's real patriots and heroes have done for us and the rest of the world.  God less you, and God bless all who have and are now serving~ Carolyn