A Day To Honor Those Who Have Served Their Country

Written by: Evrviglnt on Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

Today is Veterans Day.  Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who have died in battle, Veterans Day is a day of gratitude to those who have served our country and are still living.  It is celebrated in many countries today under different names – Armistice day, Remembrance day, National Day.  Here is a quick history:

In 1947, Raymond Weeks, of Birmingham Ala., organized a “Veterans Day” parade on November 11th to honor all of America’s veterans for their loyal and dedicated service. Shortly thereafter, Congressman Edward H. Rees (Kansas) introduced legislation to change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day in order to honor all veterans who have served the United States in all wars.

In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day, and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. He issued a Presidential Order directing the head of the Veterans Administration (now called the Department of Veterans Affairs), to form a Veterans Day National Committee to organize and oversee the national observance of Veterans Day.

Heraclitus said that “War is the father of us all.”  There is a certain fatalism in that quote, and though written 500 years before Christ, who can say much has changed?  Some argue that if only men could communicate peace, there would be no need for the soldier and his morbid skill set.  Others lament a human nature that seems drawn to conflict and tragedy, that a history of humanity is a history of war.  One will never hear of all the wild animals of the plain gathering against each other to battle over land or resource, it is the irony of man that only the creature with a conscience continues to do to each other the unconscionable.  But there is no wishing that dark streak in our nature away, to do so would be to ignore that we are not born decent, we must be taught constantly what it means to be moral and just.  A civilization that understands the principles that promise peace must be built on a foundation that recognizes what is worth fighting for, and what we must fight against.  Freedom is a precious thing.  The soldier who stands to guard it deserves our respect, and the knowledge that they country they defend cherishes freedom as they do.

Please help our returning veterans by donating to Survivor Corps.

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Topics: America, American History

2 Responses to “A Day To Honor Those Who Have Served Their Country”

Thanks You Operation Survivor Bloggers! < Chris Abraham Says:
November 18th, 2008 at 9:47 am

[...] A Day To Honor Those Who Have Served Their Country via Political Vindication. [...]

 

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