1: Veterans Day. The Allied powers signed a ceasefire agreement with Germany at Rethondes, France, at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918, bringing the war now known as World War I to a close. ... Between the world wars, November 11 was commemorated as Armistice Day in the United States, Great Britain, and France.
2: Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth. It was originally called “Armistice Day” to commemorate armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.—on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As we approach this day once again I look around and hear the words echoed in my head that are said of every generation of Military Personnel. "The (insert Branch Here) Isn't what it used to be." I think of this about The United States though. Now, do not think me wrong, read my words and see the true meaning.
The ever changing society, populous, mindset, approach, etc. of The United States is a direct product of the blood and sacrifice which is made by servicemen and women daily. We enlist our youth to be trained for unknown battles and environments which place their lives in danger because whether it is liked or not, at their age they are the most suited to do this job.
I remember a 18yr old "Kiddiccarus" flying off training because he was convinced by his brother not to take a football scholarship and instead train to fight in the war. I had no idea what this country was about to ask of me because I seen the romance of the story which was presented. The recruiters tale of glory and accolades to lure in the young males (back then) to serve in units that they needed filled rather than the actual job you wished to get into.
The things I seen, the job I performed, the orders I carried out may not have been the most pleasant for me or others at the time. I may have lived in "The Suck" longer than I would have liked. I may have lost the opportunity to play football in the Big Ten. What I gained though from it all is Immeasurable. A work ethic, A moral code, A pride in accomplishment, Adventure that can not be matched by any other employer, An immense feeling loss of men who I still love to this day who could not return home with me.
What makes me smile the most though. The Freedom we enjoy in this country. Because of servicemen and women, WE as Citizens of these United States can walk out into the street and make a total fool of ourselves. We can March and Show our support for a cause we hold dear. We can own a Firearm just because we want it. We can cuss at our leaders and try our best to get them fired. We can Look across the Aisle and reach out our hand or point a finger. We can drive across borders just because we felt like we wanted to go "over there" that day.
We can Stand United because ALL LIFE MATTERS and lay down other labels which cause us to be inside a box allowing another to dislike that same box. We can choose to become better because that IS the Freedom which others have bled and died to keep safe for us.
I chose to take off my boots, to lay down that rifle, to pass on the banner to someone younger and more fit to carry on in my stead. That does not mean I would not stand right back up and defend this land against all enemy foreign or domestic when I am asked. For Now, I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you who are still carrying that banner. That I Love You all no matter what race, religion, orientation, political view you are. YOU ARE THE BEST IF US..........
This Is Me, That Young Kiddiccarus who thought that when he arrived at Ft Benning, GA so many years ago he was about to meet his maker. NO, that place began to shape the man I am today and as you can see here I came through it with Memories.
HAPPY VETERANS DAY TO ALL OF YOU HAVE SERVED AND THOSE OF YOU WHO NOW PROTECT US WITH YOUR LIVES.