How Armistice Day Became Veteran’s Day
By Adrienne Logue
GSL Vice-President
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, a ceasefire was issued between the Germans and the Allies signifying the close of the “war to end all wars“. WWI took major tolls on life, infrastructure and economics, inevitably setting the stage for more wars to follow.
President Wilson proclaims the day as Armistice Day the following year. The states then began observing Armistice Day annually. However, the federal government did not make it an official national holiday until 1938, just in time for Hitler and, consequently, WWII to begin in Europe. Congress changed Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day in 1954 signifying a holiday to honor all American veterans in all conflicts and wars from the beginning of our country’s history.
In the words of the great President Ronald Reagan: “Peace fails when we forget what we stand for. It fails when we forget that our republic is based on firm principles, that with them we are the last best hope of man. Peace is only maintained and won by those who have clear eyes and brave minds. In memory of those who gave the last full measure of devotion, may our efforts to achieve lasting peace gain strength.”
“Peace fails when we forget what we stand for. It fails when we forget that our republic is based on firm principles, that with them we are the last best hope of man. Peace is only maintained and won by those who have clear eyes and brave minds. In memory of those who gave the last full measure of devotion, may our efforts to achieve lasting peace gain strength.”
I remember how good it felt to have a President who was a proud American firmly committed to the beauty of the American dream and defending our role as a positive force in the world. Ronald Reagan reminded us of and extolled the principles that brought forth on this continent a new nation, to borrow Lincoln’s language, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. The strength of our principles allowed us to weather the challenges and grow to be a positive leader in the world.
It’s been deeply saddening to live through the Obama years and watch as he does his best to apologize for and fundamentally change America. The effects are already evident as Americans are encouraged toward envy and division by class and race and even to debate whether the American dream is a myth. Around the world the forces against freedom grow stronger, more bold and more ruthless. Through and despite it all however, it has been heartening to reflect on the continued willingness of Americans with clear eyes and brave minds to step up and offer themselves in military service to the nation born of these principles. The rest of us still guided by these principles have a responsibility to serve by honoring and extolling both the principles themselves and those who have given the last full measure of devotion to defend them.
To our veterans I offer my heartfelt gratitude and respect. Thank you.
Well said!
some thoughts
This poem is dedicated to SFC John Sitton, a hero of Vietnam and the Persian Gulf Wars who died after he was was denied medical care at danville va.
“FORGOTTEN WARRIORS”
By Doug Rokke, Ph.D.
MAJOR, Medical Service Corps,
U.S. Army Reserve
ONE MOMENT AN INDIVIDUAL WAS WALKING THROUGH A MEADOW OF
FLOWERS.
IN THE NEXT MOMENT SONS, DAUGHTERS, HUSBANDS, AND WIVES
BECAME SOLDIERS.
THEY DEFENDED OUR NATION AND PAID WITH THEIR LIFE OR HEALTH.
THE CITIZEN SOLDIER —– THE MINUTE MAN.
OUR NATION IS BUILT ON THEIR WILLINGNESS TO RESPOND TO OUR
NATIONS CALL.
SOME FOUGHT IN THE JUNGLES OF VIETNAM, YET MANY RESPONDED TO FIGHT IN A DISTANT DESERT WAR.
THEY FOUGHT WITH SKILL AND DETERMINATION AND FREED A LAND.
THEN OUR NATION’S WARRIORS RETURNED HOME TO PARADES AND PARTIES AND JOY SPREAD FROM SHORE TO SHORE.
BUT WHEN THE GLOW SUBSIDED THE WARRIORS REMAINED ALONE AND FORGOTTEN.
WE ASKED THEM TO FIGHT AND THEN FORGOT TO PROVIDE THEM MEDICAL CARE.
WE RESEARCH AND STUDY AND SEARCH FOR A CAUSE DELAYING RESPONSE THROUGH IGNORANCE AND FEAR.
YET THE FORGOTTEN WARRIORS SUFFER IN SILENCE WITH HONOR AND HOPE.
FOR ALL THE FORGOTTEN WARRIORS WANT IS MEDICAL CARE.
ODE TO THE NURSE
Doug Rokke, Ph.D.
Major, Medical Service Corps, USAR
Mother, wife, daughter, and sister.
The dove who sails above the clouds
Soaring on golden wings with a heart of gold.
Busted bodies causing interrupted dreams.
Pain and suffering she strives to alleviate
Using knowledge, skills, and too many prayers
The Nurse .. the dedicated professional
Selected and wanted during war while the injured arrive
Yet, ignored, and abandoned after wars end
Only the very few continue their efforts to care for veterans after wars end
Because memories and recognition of continued problems must be ignored
The Nurse…… the preserver of life
May she always sail on golden wings
with God given strength to care for those in need
The Nurse… the professional…. who cares for eternity
In spite of adversity and pain and their own suffering
Showing courage that comes from the God given heart of gold.
Here’s to the Nurse, may she prosper and thrive.
May she always be there to save the next life.
and in memory of my friend father berrigan- a catholic priest.
Phil Berrigan: Disciple of Peace (1923- 2002)
By d. rokke
The world has lost a valiant peacemaker.
A man whose entire existence was dedicated to peace.
From WWII through Gulf War I to today
He sought peaceful solutions to complex problems
While many only talk Phil acted.
He acted with conviction and willingness to suffer retaliation
He acted for all of the citizens of the world.
Today we mourn his loss but must rejoice in knowing that God has called his “Disciple of Peace” to his side.
May we all learn from Phil’s dedication.
May we all learn that we must make the commitment to peace.
May we all learn that peace begins with each of us.
May we all walk in the footpath of the “Disciple of Peace”.
May we all strive to complete Phil’s earthly mission.
For “Peace” is the hope, dream, and goal of all.
Let’s make Phil’ s dream his legacy.
The fulfillment of “Peace on Earth”
Thanks for this, Doug. LTC Sue from your unit will appreciate the poem for the old Army nurses. I’ll pass it along.
God Bless …
I had a Great-uncle KIA in WWI on the 6th day of the 11th month. “What if” for the want of 5 days?