Veteran's Day

I usually attend a Veterans Day program each year. I'm ashamed to say-I never went to one until the girls started school. 

 

Over the years of attending school programs-I've come to think of Veteran's Day as being almost synonymous with white haired old men standing around, shaking each others hands, and usually looking slightly uncomfortable with all the attention they are receiving on this special day.

At  most programs they show photos of the Veterans from the days they served for us. Looking at the old pictures and then looking into the faces of the heros today is a fascinating thing indeed. (usually at least one of the Veterans will tease Pap and ask him what happened to that young handsome Marine-click here to see Pap's Marine photo)

• Veteran's Day is a day set aside to honor all who have served in the Armed Forces-both living and deceased.
• Veteran's Day is a federal holiday and always falls on Nov 11th.
• In 1919 President Woodrow Wilson declared Nov 11th Armistice day to commemorate the end of WWI-which officially took place at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.
• In 1954 the United States Congress voted to change the name to Veteran's Day.

This years Veteran's Day seems especially poignant to me-I know it's because of our recent visit to The Moving Wall. As I attend the Veteran's Day program later today at school-I'm trying to remind myself-to not only be thankful for the white haired men who line the school halls-but to also say a prayer of safety and thanks for each man and woman who are serving today.

Tipper

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Comments

[Kathleen]

Wonderful post Tipper. My children's school always has a special Veteran's Day event. They always ask for me to send a photo of my daughter in uniform, since she has recently graduated from there....she is currently in the Navy. Also, I just loved your last post on Cornmeal mush. My grandfather used to eat it with cream poured on top. blessings,Kathleen

[Fishing Guy]

Tipper: Very nicely written and a great time of remembrance.

[Carol]

I have nominated you for the new Kreative Blogger award, come over to Reflections From the Fence to collect!

[Nancy]

Thank you for the nice post Tipper. Today my dear old dad (90!) was sitting in his chair looking at his little box of momentos - medels, sgt stripes (he was always so proud to have outranked his older brother) and talking about his experiences in the Pacific during WWII. Funny, as a kid he never said much, but as he gets older the old memories are very clear to him and he tells stories we never heard before. It's precious that we honor these folks for their service to their country.

[Miss Cindy]

My first thought was that it's great that you do a Veterans Day post even though it has little to do with Appalachian Heritage....but then I had to rethink that.
Protecting family and honor to country are certainly values found at the heart of the Appalachian Soul.
I have known some fine Veterans who gave a lot to make the world a safe place for us to live, and on this day I honor each of them in my heart!
Thank you, Tipper, for this thoughtful post!

[Rick M]

Thank you for this post.

[Shirley]

What would we do without these brave men and women who have done so much and continue to work so hard for our freedom.

Jesus died for our salvation, Our soldiers die for our freedom. I can't imagine asking my child to do either.

[Mary]

Wonderful post and wonderful photos! We owe so much to all of our veterans!

[Janet]

We have many veterans in my family. They usually have a ceremony on our court house lawn every year, we will probably attend tomorrow.

[PictureGirl]

We have so much to thank them for.

My Dad and his twin brother served in the South Pacific in WWII. MY dad carried shrapnel in his body for the rest of his life. He also relived horrible episodes of that war in nightmares he would have occasionally for the rest of his life.

They sacrifice more than we can ever know.

I am so proud of my son and all the others who are serving to provide us with the continuation of the American Freedom that we all enjoy because of the sacrifice of so many.

What a great post!

I enjoyed looking at your Pap in his uniform. Very handsome!

[JoLyn]

I love your photos! I'm so glad we still honor our veterans in our schools. My father-in-law was a Marine in WWII and drove a tank in the battles in the Pacific area. He doesn't talk about it much--he is a true hero!

[Jenny-Jenny]

We live in a Navy town. There are many Navy families with children in our neighborhood schools here. The Veterans Day Program at my daughters elementary school is the biggest most highly attended program all year. When the choir sings a medley of all the different military songs people in the audience stand when their song is sung. It brings me to tears every time. The sacrifices these families make everyday is amazing and I feel honored to know them.

[Farm Chick Paula]

Wonderful post Tipper- I have an uncle that is very special to me who served in Korea and still carries shrapnel in his body.... because of that he has carried the pain both physical and mental these last 50 years as a reminder. I'm joining you in honoring him and all the others who fought so bravely that we could enjoy the freedom we have today.

[Rick]

Nice post - Thank you!