Thank You Veterans

by Gregory Conterio
Modern Conservative/AnyStreet


The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day


Ninety-two years ago today, at 11:00AM,
the guns finally fell silent.
For five years, The Great War had raged in all its bitter,
bloody conflict, right up until the very last minute before
the armistice went into effect.
Seven months later, the Treaty of Versailles officially
brought an end to what was heralded as the War to
End All Wars.

In retrospect, it was but a pause to catch breath.
It is perhaps ironic that America played such a great
part in finally ending the war, seeing as we took so
little part in it. Finally arriving on the Battlefield in
May of 1918, the United States still suffered just over
116,700 casualties for just seven months of fighting.

One year after hostilities finally ended, President Wilson
proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of
Armistice Day, marking the heroism and sacrifice of our
soldiers, and the gratitude of the country for their sacrifice.
In June of 1926, the U.S. Congress officially recognized this
day with the following concurrent resolution:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation
of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war
in human annals and the resumption by the people of the
United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which
we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date
should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and
exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and
mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have
already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore
be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),
that the President of the United States is requested to issue a
proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the
United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and
inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in
schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate
ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

In 1938, this resolution was transformed into an official holiday
an Act of Congress (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) and
Armistice Day became an official national holiday.
Yet shortly thereafter, America was forced into the greatest
military mobilization in our history as the Second World War
engulfed literally the entire globe.
After the conclusion of this, as well as the Korean Conflict,
the Act of 1938 was amended by replacing the word “Armistice”
with “Veterans” and in 1954, the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month
became the day on which America honors and remembers all its veterans,
of all conflicts.
No greater service can be offered than to defend our great country,
and no one is more deserving of our respect. While the men and women
who have given such service should never be long from our thoughts or
far from our hearts.
Thank you for your service and your sacrifice!