VETERANS DAY NOVEMBER 11, 2010
Linda Ingraham, President Cashmere American Legion Auxiliary #64
Nov. 10, 2010
Photo by Steve Godfrey
Originally known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day honors all veterans.
Nov. 11, 1921 was the first Veterans Day. Armistice Day, as it was then called, was set aside by Congress to honor the veterans of World War I & marked the fourth anniversary of the signing of the Armistice with Germany. In June 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill to honor all veterans on that day & the holiday was officially renamed Veterans Day.
Because of our veterans, we are united & live our lives in freedom, enjoying the rights guaranteed by our Constitution. Some may think Veterans Day commemorates great victories or honors great war heroes or glorifies war. Veterans Day is more than that...it honors our citizen soldiers, the millions of Americans who served & are still serving their country when asked & the thousands who died.
Since the Revolutionary War, ordinary young citizens have quietly put their affairs in order, kissed their families goodbye & put on uniforms. That takes courage when you're only 18 or 20 years old & filled with hopes & dreams & plans for the future.
These men & women are heroes. Because of their sacrifice & courage, our country is free & undivided today. Because of them, we have the rights & privileges we have always held most dear. Freedom is not a cheap commodity. Throughout our nation's history, veterans have paid a heavy price. That is why we honor them. As we celebrate Veterans Day, keep in mind the enormous debt we owe to the veterans of this nation.
This was written by my grandson Michael Beem at Cashmere's Vale Elementary School when he was only 9 years old (he is now 23):
"VETERANS DAY; Veterans Day means a lot to me because the people who fought in the wars give freedom to us & served our country. Veterans Day is the day our country pays tribute to the men & women who have served our country in war & peace times." By Michael Beem.
I believe that says it all. Please thank a veteran today, they are the true American heroes.
