Veterans Day 2012

Jtraskell

New member
To all Veterans and future Veterans, have a safe holiday. Hug your kids, kiss your wife. Give a toast and say a prayer for those who did not make it home.

Thanks for your service.

Be safe.
 
Register to hide this ad
This History was just sent to me. Thought it good to share. Be Safe.



Give Thanks To A Veteran Today!

For those that are clueless (and there must be a lot) here is some history.

Veterans Day

Many Americans mistakenly believe that Veterans Day is the day America sets aside to honor American military personnel who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained from combat. That's not quite true. Memorial Day is the day set aside to honor America's war dead.

Veterans Day, on the other hand, honors ALL American veterans, both living and dead. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thankLIVING veterans for dedicated and loyal service to their country. November 11 of each year is the day that we ensure veterans know that we deeply appreciate the sacrifices they have made in the lives to keep our country free.

Armistice Day

To commemorate the ending of the "Great War" (World War I), an "unknown soldier" was buried in highest place of honor in both England and France ( (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These ceremonies took place on November 11th, celebrating the ending of World War I hostilities at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). This day became known internationally as "Armistice Day".

In 1921, the United States of America followed France and England by laying to rest the remains of a World War I American soldier -- his name "known but to God" -- on a Virginia hillside overlooking the city of Washington DC and the Potomac River. This site became known as the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," and today is called the "Tomb of the Unknowns." Located in Arlington National Cemetery, the tomb symbolizes dignity and reverence for the American veteran.

In America, November 11th officially became known as Armistice Day through an act of Congress in 1926. It wasn't until 12 years later, through a similar act that Armistice Day became a national holiday.

The entire World thought that World War I was the "War to end all wars." Had this been true, the holiday might still be called Armistice Day today. That dream was shattered in 1939 when World War II broke out in Europe. More than 400,000 American service members died during that horrific war.

Veterans Day

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.

Congress passed legislation in 1968 to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. However as it became apparent that November 11th was historically significant to many Americans, in 1978, Congress reversed itself and returned the holiday to its traditional date.

Veterans Day National Ceremony

At exactly 11 a.m., each November 11th, a color guard, made up of members from each of the military branches, renders honors to America's war dead during a heart-moving ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.

The President or his representative (in the case of Obama) places a wreath at the Tomb and a bugler sounds Taps. The balance of the ceremony, including a "Parade of Flags" by numerous veterans service organizations, takes place inside the Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb.

In addition to planning and coordinating the National Veterans Day Ceremony, the Veterans Day National Committee supports a number of Veterans Day Regional Sites. These sites conduct Veterans Day celebrations that provide excellent examples for other communities to follow.

Veterans Day Observance

Veterans Day is always observed on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. The Veterans Day National Ceremony is always held on Veterans Day itself, even if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. However, like all other federal holidays, when it falls on a non-workday -- Saturday or Sunday -- the federal government employees take the day off on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).

Federal government holiday observance (for federal employees, including military) is established by federal law. 5 U.S.C. 6103 establishes the following public holidays for Federal employees: New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington's Birthday (President's Day), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

This federal law does not apply to state and local governments. They are free to determine local government closings (including school closings) locally. As such, there is no legal requirement that schools close of Veterans Day, and many do not. However, most schools hold Veterans Day activities on Veterans Day and throughout the week of the holiday to honor American veterans.

Veterans Day Tribute 2012 - YouTube



Thank You! to all that have served and given so much.
 
Last edited:
Thanks to all the Service Men and Women past and present, living and gone on for all you have did and have done.
 
To all Veterans and future Veterans, have a safe holiday. Hug your kids, kiss your wife. Give a toast and say a prayer for those who did not make it home.

Thanks for your service.

Be safe.

kiss your wife = Kiss your spouse. My wife is the vet in our family :naughty:

There are several restaurants that offer free meals to vets on Veterans Day:
Olive Garden (as mentioned)
Chilis
Applebees (been doing this a long time and publicly advertising it)
chammps (free burgers and fries)
....
....
....
2012 Veterans Day Discounts, Sales, Deals and Free Meals | Military Benefits
Find a whole list at the location above.

Thanks for your service and sacrifice; It is appreciated and will not be forgotten or have been in vain!

Okki
 
Happy Veteran's Day to my fellow veterans, for those still serving, and for those who have fallen before us.
 
Semper Fi and Godspeed to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms. Keep doing what you do, to keep this place the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
 
This thread doesn't deserve to die yet... Happy Veteran's Day everyone. Keep all of our soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen in your thoughts. As we take the day to celebrate, remember that the ones overseas do not have that luxury. For the veterans from past wars, thank you for laying the foundation of this great nation!
 
And to the Canadians too. To my friends who got shot up, blown up, and just generally messed up.

37093_remembrance-poppy1.jpg


And for the love of God, please fix the thread title.
 
And to the Canadians too. To my friends who got shot up, blown up, and just generally messed up.

37093_remembrance-poppy1.jpg


And for the love of God, please fix the thread title.

Oh my, how embarrassing! My only lame excuse was that it was 0700 in the AM when I posted and my brain was still mush....so sorry. I would be willing to correct ASAP, but I do not know how. When I hit edit on the original post, I can change that, but nothing happens when I try to change the thread title. Advice please?
 
Oh my, how embarrassing! My only lame excuse was that it was 0700 in the AM when I posted and my brain was still mush....so sorry. I would be willing to correct ASAP, but I do not know how. When I hit edit on the original post, I can change that, but nothing happens when I try to change the thread title. Advice please?

I don't know - I'd PM a mod and get that fixed though.

Also, no freebies stateside for us Canadian vets, being foreign trash and all. Which is okay, since nobody in Canada gives a **** either. At least they don't throw us under buses here. Okay, now I feel better. :peace:
 
I don't know - I'd PM a mod and get that fixed though.

Also, no freebies stateside for us Canadian vets, being foreign trash and all. Which is okay, since nobody in Canada gives a **** either. At least they don't throw us under buses here. Okay, now I feel better. :peace:

That ain't right. Canada has fought with America hand in hand, since, well, the beginning as far as I know. There is no "Veterans" day in Canada? I am happy you feel better, but I do not. "Ya'll" should have just as much recognition as we have here.

All I can do at this juncture is say, Thank you and you compatriot's for your service my friend. I hope both our country's will always be close and fight the good fight together when the need arises. (And pray those times are few and far in time). Be Safe.
 
We have been allies since about 1817. No hard feelings here about the war of 1812.

November 11th is Remembrance Day, like in the UK, with a minute of silence at 11:11, the time the armistice took effect for World War I.

We wear red poppies in memory of those fallen, based on the poem by Lt. Col. John McRae, who was killed shortly after writing it.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, 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, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This being said the general populace does not reward us with specials at restaurants or thank you's of any sort. The cadets parade on Nov 11th, and that's about it. Government nannies even made a stink about our WW2 bomber pilots having a stiff drink "in public" and threatened them with arrest.
 
Thanks for the post and thank you to all others that have served and for my brothers over seas! Everywhere was too packed to go eat though... so the wife brought me home hooters! :hungry:
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
278,307
Messages
3,554,054
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Trending content

Back
Top