This is a repost of the Veteran’s Day post from my blog last year: This year’s Veteran’s Day is tomorrow. I thought a little background on the day might be beneficial to some. Veteran’s Day is one day a year that is supposed to be dedicated to the men and women who put their lives on hold to serve our nation. It falls on November 11th for a reason. On the 11th day of the 11th month at the eleventh hour, the cease fire ending World War One went into effect. Originally called Armistice Day, Poppy Day, or Remembrance Day, this day was set aside to remember the end of the war to end all wars and the people who fought in it. The reason it was referred to as Poppy Day is there is a poppy seed that can lay dormant for years and years until the ground it is in is disturbed. There used to be an area in Belgium and France (currently known as Nord Pas De Calais) known as the County of Flanders. During World War I, after some fierce fighting, the allied troops were buried in a makeshift cemetery known as Flanders Fields. When the following spring arrived, areas that had been dug up to bury soldiers were covered in red poppies. This is the reason that on Veteran’s Day, groups from American Legion Posts pass out poppies and ask for donations. The money they make from the donations is used to buy American Flags to place on the graves of veterans come Memorial Day. In America, until the end of World War Two, Veteran’s Day was known as Armistice Day. Unfortunately, the peace that started when the war to end all wars ended did not last, but Veteran’s Day lives on. It is not a day to go out and rack up on savings at sales, even though retailers would like you to believe so. It is a day to pay homage to the American men and women who spent years of their own lives protecting our rights and freedoms we enjoy here. The Rural Iowegian and his lovely wife started a tradition of lighting a candle and placing it in the front window of our home every Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. The symbolism for Memorial Day is a light shining to let those soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that made the ultimate sacrifice know that they are not forgotten. For Veteran’s Day it shows that the living too are remembered, we are grateful and they are welcome in our home. We started this tradition when we lived in the city and others could see the candle. We continue it now that we live in the country because it is a constant reminder to never forget. So this Veteran’s Day, if you see a veteran thank him or her for their service to America. Then, before sunset light a candle and place it in your front window to let all that see it that you are proud of your veterans and grateful for the sacrifices they made so you could continue to live with the freedom and rights you enjoy.
I would like to thank my dad, gone for about 10 years now, for the service he put in World War II. He taught me a lot about life in general.
Thank you to all the vets out there for your time and service and to those that we've layed to rest. Thank you!
I would like to extend a big thank you to all those past and present that have served our country to protect everything that we hold dear. To those that made the ultimate sacrifice, you will never be forgotten. Thank you all and God bless you.
A special Thank You to all who have served and a special remembrance for those who gave their lives for us.
To all veterans; Thank you for your service. A special thanks to the late Earl Gaston. Fought in both WWII and the Korean War. My grandfather, rest in peace.
