Lest We Forget.

[John R]

[Joann Raytar]

"Veterans Day - 'Freedom is Not Free'

A day to thank all 48 million Americans who have served since 1776"

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 6, 2002

Veteran's Day, 2002
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation


America was founded on the principles of liberty, opportunity, and justice for all, and on Veterans Day we recognize the men and women of our Armed Forces who have valiantly defended these values throughout our Nation's history. These remarkable individuals have helped to make our Nation secure and to advance the cause of freedom worldwide. By answering the call of duty and risking their lives to protect their fellow countrymen, these patriots have inspired our Nation with their courage, compassion, and dedication.

There are currently more than 25 million living American veterans, many of whom put their lives on the line to preserve our freedoms. Our veterans served on the land, at sea, and in the air, from the shores of Omaha Beach and the jungles of Vietnam, to the sands of the Persian Gulf, the mountains of Afghanistan, and many other battlefields around the globe. Through each of these challenges, the members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard have protected our country and liberated millions of people around the world from the threats of tyranny and terror.

Our proud veterans have also helped to shape the American character. They have given us an extraordinary legacy of patriotism and honor, and their service represents the highest form of citizenship. So that young Americans can better understand the commitment and sacrifice of these heroes in securing the blessings of liberty, I ask all schools to observe November 10 through November 16, 2002, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage educators to invite veterans to teach our young people about their experiences. By sharing their knowledge on some of the most proud and dramatic moments in our history, they can help educate and inspire a new generation of Americans.

On the observance of Veterans Day in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower called on all citizens to not only remember "the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly..." but also to rededicate themselves "to the task of promoting an enduring peace...." Today, almost 50 years later, we remember the dedication of our veterans, and resolve ourselves to upholding their legacy of justice, liberty, and opportunity for all.

In recognition of the contributions our service men and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2002, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 10 through November 16, 2002, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I urge all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to encourage and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with suitable commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/relea...0021106-4.html

A few quotes from people who fought for their principles:

"A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle."
-- George William Curtis

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
-- Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die."
-- G. K. Chesterton

"It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt."
-- John Philpot Curran: Speech upon the Right of Election (1790)

[Pete Hanlin]

John
Is "Veteran's Day" celebrated in the UK as well on "V-E" (Victory in Europe) Day?

As I recall, we honor our veterans on 11 November because that was the date of the signing of the armistice that ended WWI on 11 November 1918 (could be mistaken).

Regardless, to all you OptiBoarders out there who can proudly call yourselves veterans...
Happy Veteran's Day!!!

PS- NPR is playing John Phillip Souza marches throughout the day- quite inspiring! Also, a little while ago, they played the themes for each of the military branches (I think they missed the Coast Guard, however).

[John R]

Pete Hanlin said:
John
Is "Veteran's Day" celebrated in the UK as well on "V-E" (Victory in Europe) Day?

To be honest not much get celebrated here...We did have a 2 min silence at 11.00 today, but even that was not well advertised.. We tend to do the sunday remberance thing with the laying of the poppies and thats about it...
If one good thing came ot of 9-11 it seems to have stired days like this up a bit and remind everbody what those men & women fought and died for..

[sarahr]

:angry: I was shocked and appalled when a local man asked tody why we had just observed a 2 min silence. Where has he been throughout his life. My children know what armistice is all about, and i strongly feel that everyone has a duty to educate the next generation in order that this can continue. The man in question was in his 50's! I was disappointed also that my children's school did not observe this act of remembrance, and I will be mentioning this tomorrow.(In my understated and pleasant manner pete!!)I realise this could be difficult but at least the effort should be made. My son asked me why his teachers weren't wearing poppies?The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month shouldn't need advertising really, it's not like it's a different day every year.

[John R]

sarahr said:
:angry: I was disappointed also that my children's school did not observe this act of remembrance, and I will be mentioning this tomorrow.(In my understated and pleasant manner pete!!)I realise this could be difficult but at least the effort should be made. My son asked me why his teachers weren't wearing poppies?The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month shouldn't need advertising really, it's not like it's a different day every year.

Yep good point Sarah....We should not need reminding of dates like this, but sadly many of us do...On the point of the school my daughters didn't either and Mrs is fired up to ask why as well.....

[Pete Hanlin]

(In my understated and pleasant manner Pete!!)
Sometimes understated and pleasant can be quite effective! Here in the States, school children get Veteran's Day as a holiday (mostly so the government employees can have an extra day off, IMO). Although it is hard to adequately explain to a 6 and 8 year old what the day is all about, now more than ever kids need to realize that their grandfathers and grandmothers sacrificed a lot to provide the kind of freedoms we have.

Although 11 November is in memorial of WWI, I still think the "greatest generation" the world has ever seen was the one that fought WWII (at least the greatest American generation, understanding that we have a bit less history than you Brits). They built more, accomplished great things, and defeated one of the most formidible armies ever assembled. I don't think we've had a generation of people like that since!

Oh well, you go give the teachers "what for!" (In your understated and pleasant manner, of course!)
;)

[Diane]

God bless those who protect our freedoms. Thank you for those who have sacrificed to protect those freedoms in the past.

We should remember, and pass this on to our children and grandchildren. Being both, I find myself sharing all of the things from history that makes this world a great place to live. Fortunately, my children and now my grandchildren love history as well. There is hope for the next generation.

We should be involved to ensure that our schools not only teach history, but teach the reason that we HAVE a history. To REMEMBER.

Diane

:)

[hcjilson]

John,

I was touched by your post. It brought to mind this poem taught to me at an early age, long before I was able to fully understand it. I thought that perhaps others might like to do the same so here it is:


In Flanders Fields

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.

The name of John McCrae (1872-1918) may seem out of place in the distinguished company of World War I poets, but he is remembered for what is probably the single best-known and popular poem from the war, "In Flanders Fields." He was a Canadian physician and fought on the Western Front in 1914, but was then transferred to the medical corps and assigned to a hospital in France. He died of pneumonia while on active duty in 1918. His volume of poetry, In Flanders Fields and Other Poems, was published in 1919.