When Johnny Comes Marching Home

In Honor of Veterans Day 
 
 
 
Veterans Day is a very important holiday in our country for it honors all of those, living and dead, who served with the U.S. armed forces in times of war. This day was formerly known as Armistice Day, and was first proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson on November 11, 1919, to mark the one year anniversary of the ending of World War I. In 1954, following World War II and the Korean Conflict, Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day. This commemorative day is observed each year on November 11th. In reality, the day to honor our veterans should be every day, for we owe so much to the brave men and women who have fought for freedom around the world. 
Learn more about the history of Veterans Day... 
 
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many, to so few." 
Winston Churchill, 1940
 
"There never was a good
war, or a bad peace."
Benjamin Franklin 1783
 
 
A Memorial to Those Killed in Wartime...

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. It was dedicated on November 11, 1921, when it became the final resting place for an unknown soldier from World War I. In years that followed, 3 more unknown soldiers were laid to rest in the plaza next to the original tomb...one from World War II, one from the Korean Conflict, and one from the Vietnam War. This memorial is now called the Tomb of the Unknowns.

A ceremony is held every Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns to honor all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This ceremony takes place at exactly 11 a.m. which symbolizes the ending of World War I on November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m. The focus point of the ceremony is the placing of the Presidential wreath in front of the tomb to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives in war.
 
 
 
Poppies & Veterans Day

Did you ever wonder why VFW volunteers give you a paper poppy when you give them a donation?

Just read the poem, In Flanders Fields, written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, duringWorld War I and you'll know why.


The Poppy
Symbol of Remembrance
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Learn about the author...

http://www.sgtmajor.net/holidays/vtd/poppies.htm
 
Visit these web sites to learn more...
American Scrapbook In Memory of World War II
VFW Homepage Korean Conflict Memorial
What did you do during the war Grandma? Vietnam Memorial War
Disabled American Veterans Operation Desert Storm
World War I Doughboys Memories of War
 
 


Thank You for 

Everything!
They were called to serve, 
they never asked why. 
They fought for freedom for you and I. 
 
Their families and friends 
were left behind. 
Their goal was peace for all mankind. 
 
Fighting for liberty and justice for all. 
Some lived to see it, 
But some did fall. 
 
Each one risk their life, 
so freedom could ring. 
Thank you all for everything! 
This page is dedicated to all those who put their life on the line for our country, all in the name of freedom. It is my hope that what you learn from these links makes you proud to be an American. 

USA USA USA


Military and Veterans Links

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