A little history and a big thank-you to all who serve

When World War I ended with the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, fighting actually had stopped seven months prior on November 11, 1918. But in 1919, President Wilson dedicated the 11^th of November as Armistice Day – in gratitude for and in honor of those who died in victory.

In 1938 November 11^th became a legal holiday to celebrate the cause of world peace, but would still be known as Armistice Day. After World War II the 83^rd Congress in 1954 changed the wording to Veterans Day in order to honor American veterans of all wars. It continues to be a day to celebrate veterans for their love of country and for self-sacrifice.

I feel fortunate to live in a country where my freedoms are protected – and even more fortunate that there are men and women who are heroic enough to fight for not only their liberty, but for mine.

I have spent much of my life feeling thankful for our military, but not as passionate as I should have been.  My uncle served in Vietnam and both of my grandfathers fought in WWII, but those stories of service have long been silenced. It wasn’t something spoken about.

This year, I met some amazing men and women. I have heard their stories – men and women who have valiantly served their country from the Korean War all the way through to Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

Not only have some of these men and women shared pieces of their personal lives, but some also have spoken on panels that I was privileged to attend. Their stories of returning home and the harrowing effects of post-traumatic stress disorder will be forever etched in my heart.

You see, I can never unsee their faces. I can never unhear their voices. I can never unknow their stories.

In every news broadcast or radio story, I see them. I put their faces in every news clip and my heart breaks. There are times when I actually feel that I cannot breathe, so horrible are the stories that flash across my screen. I can no longer separate the hard news from the tangible men and women who are so stoic and broken at the same time, who courageously tell their story and who bravely continue on in their lives - lives that will never be the same - lives that were torn apart in order that others be allowed to continue on in their daily life.

So I am making it a point to reinforce respect for our veterans, the history of our country and celebrating the freedoms men and women continue to fight for. Tonight, my daughter is reading a book on the Civil War. Tomorrow, we will read a story together on the American Flag. There will be crafts, there will be stories, there will be puzzles. But there will also be time to pause and give thanks for real people – people who have made an impression on my children – people who have given them their freedoms here, in the United States of America.

 

Celebrate this special day with your children - and thank a veteran today.

And to all those who serve, thank you.