11.11.11 is certainly a unique and important day. Leaving my neighborhood early this morning it was refreshing to see a great deal of homes flying American Flags at the foot of their yards. Too often we take for granted what all our Veterans have willingly endured so that you and I can continue to enjoy our many freedoms.
The military runs deep in my family from my father being a highly decorated veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division in the Dominican Republic and with a Vietnamese infantry unit as part Military Assistance Command Vietnam, to my uncle who retired from the Army as a Major General having served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, to several cousins who also served in all branches of the military. The military and Veterans is something I have always known and can’t imagine living without. Although I have never served, I try to align my values with them.
All Veterans, especially those who have served during wartime have seen and experienced things we may never fully understand. They willingly put their lives on the line without any expectations of a thank you. Simply because they have honor and have decided to place their countries needs above their own. If you happen to see a Veteran today, or any day or know of one, please extend a sincere thank you them. They are our first line of defense and the real backbone of this country.
Now, therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon all our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954, as Veterans Day. On that day, let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting and enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.
- from Official Veterans Day proclamation
From everyone here at RD2. Thank You.
Thank you son. You do me and my comrades great honor.
Thank Rey
I enjoyed that.
Thank you, Rey. Your sharing this with me, brought back several great memories of outstanding people (relatives and friends) who served and, in some cases, are still serving proudly, and with great distinction, in our military services. Included in the group was my father, who served during WW II as a Chief Pharmacist Mate in the U.S. Navy. He had the assignment of “going in” with the first wave of Marines at Guadacanal. He had various and sundry similar jobs, until one day, a couple of years later, it was discovered by a doctor in the unit that, somehow, he had contracted Dingy Fever. He was pulled off line; treated as well as possible in the middle of the Pacific; and was shipped back to a stateside hospital facility as soon as possible. Un-fortunately, a year and a half later he was medically discharged with a 100% disability It was traumatic for him, in the beginning, but he finally adjusted. What really helped were, the letters, cards, and personal contacts he received for many years from those who had served over, with, and under him while in the war years. He was always addressed as “Chief” by all.
I salute my classmate Capt. John Marshall Yeatts who left this earth serving his country, May 12, 1969.
Rey: Thanks for helping us remember.
Great post Rey. Enjoyed reading the comments too. I think those of us who were raised in military families have a different way of looking at things. Growing up with a “code” I think was critical to me and in my family. Thanks for sharing.