Veterans Day
“That is why they are the best of America, and that is what separates them from those of us who have not served in uniform: their extraordinary willingness to risk their lives for people they never met.”
Barack Obama
Veterans Day is an official United States holiday - November 11 - that honors people who have served in the armed forces. The date was originally known as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of hostilities in World War I.
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said, "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."
An Act approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had been deployed to fight in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans."
With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Veterans Day should not to be confused with Memorial Day. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day is a day honoring the men and women who were killed while serving their country.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."
There are over 23 million veterans alive today - about 7 percent are women.
1.4 million from WWII*
3.9 million from the Korean War
8.3 million from Vietnam era
8.4 million Persian Gulf-present
(Note: the numbers are approximate; some veterans served in multiple categories)
* Between 600 to 1000 WWII veterans die each day.
Since the beginning of the Revolutionary War, almost 42 million Americans have served in the US armed forces. Of that number, over 650,000 were killed in action plus another 300,000 in-theater deaths. Over 1.4 million of those who served were wounded in action.
Ten of our club members, over 20 percent of the club, are veterans of the US military. Three served in the US Army, two in the US Navy and five in the US Air Force - we thank them for their service. At least one member of this club was wearing the uniform of one of the United States armed forces between 1959 to 1998.
The Vietnam conflict defines our club's veterans. Of the nine, eight served in what is defined as the "Vietnam era.” One served prior to that time, and one served after.
Please enjoy this short video dedicated to the veterans of the United States armed forces who are members of this club - the photographs are them as we know them today, arranged by branch of service. Click on the image (or go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2SqoSlliso&feature=youtu.be):
In alphabetical order:
Roger Allen US Navy
Pat Crane US Army
Emily Francona US Air Force
Rick Francona US Air Force
Bruce Garrett US Army Security Agency
Larry Holcomb US Air Force
Bob Kramer US Army
Dick Martin US Navy
Kevin Martin US Air Force
Ted Rose US Air Force
During the largest mobilization of citizens to serve - during World War II - over 12 percent of the population were in uniform. Today, despite our commitments around the world, less that one-half of one percent of the population serves in the active duty armed forces.
As we take advantage of all the sales this coming Veterans Day weekend, please pause for a moment and give a nod to those who answered the call to serve.
Written by eClub Rotarian Rick Francona