Carrot Top

The red, white, and blue of the American Flag has rippled in the wind for such an extended period of time this year. The vibrant colors of our Nation have beengleaning since the Presidential candidates began their campaigns late last winter, and they continue to billow with pride. Not only have we as a people just seen and participated in one of the most, if not thee most, historical Presidential election in our history, but we continue to wave our patriotism this November in celebration of Veterans Day.

On November 11th of every year we mark the day by honoring the men and women of our armed services who served our country with pride, courage, and valor. The day in which Veterans Day falls upon is not without significance; World War I formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when Germany signed the Armistice Treaty. Armistice Day was first proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson for November 12, 1919, but it wasn’t until1938 that Armistice Day was recognized each and every year as a national holiday.

As history shows, The United States became involved in World War II following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. While Armistice Day continued to be celebrated after the conclusion of the second great war, November 11th was still a day that recognized and honored only those who served in the First World War. It wasn’t until the suggestion of a Kansas store owner in 1953 that Armistice Day be amended to include all veterans who served in the United States Military. A year later, in 1954, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day, thus recognizing all of those who fought to protect our freedom.

There is a common misconception with the observances of Memorial Day and Veterans Day. To get technical for a hot second, Memorial Day honors military personnel who died in the service. While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, Veterans Day is broadened to honor everyone who served in a military branch. That includes anyone who served at any time, either during war or peacetime.

That is a whole lot of history. But it really is relative, because there’s many men and women who have served to protect our freedoms, and our flag. Today there are nearly 25 million veterans currently alive, and 75 percent of them served during a war or an official period of aggression or conflict. Sometimes it might seem that giving all of these brave people just one day of recognition is not nearly enough. But they really do receive much more, and deservedly so. Aside from getting star spangled thank you’s in parades and celebrations around the United States… in big towns and small, in city squares decorated with colorful bunting and fans, to a small crowd of school children waving American stick flags, the appreciation of our veterans is unwavering.

That being said, while a single day is set aside as an official holiday on the calendar for our veterans, the days surrounding this year’s Veterans Day have been proclaimed by the President to be a period of awareness. Good ol’ President George W. Bush likes himself some pretzels, but he loves and appreciates our veterans. So much so, that at the end of October he declared the days between November 9, 2008 and November 15, 2008 as National Veterans Awareness Week. The extended period before and after Veterans Day on November 11th is to help develop educational programs regarding the contributions of veterans.

It’s hard to imagine that we could ever repay the courageous individuals who have fought to protect our liberties and borders, and we may also find it doubly daunting to convey our appreciation to them. It may sound insignificant and effortless, but the simplest gesture of waving a small US flag, attending a Veterans Day parade, or wearing a flag pin proudly on your chest might be some of the greatest of all appreciative expressions. For a veteran, seeing Old Glory waved proudly is the greatest tribute. Between today and the remainder of National Veterans Awareness Week, take a moment to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of our brothers, sisters, neighbors, friends, and colleagues, and thank them by living proudly with the freedom they fought to secure for us.

One great way to help America honor it’s Veterans is to let the world know who they are! I came across an online Virtual Wall of Honor and it’s an amazing way to show your love for everything the proud men and women of our Armed Forces have done for our country. I had to put my grandfather on there! He’s always been a great influence to me and I want to honor him in every way that I can. It was really easy to do also. I’ve been on a lot of websites, I love the internet! If you want to submit a friend or family member you should put them on the Virtual Wall of Honor also. It’s actually very cool to see the names and photos of part of Americas history!! What better way to celebrate Veteran’s Day and help honor those who gives me the right to even write this blog in the first place. I love showing my patriotism!!

Happy Veteran’s Day!

Lexi