My Uncle Dexie . . . thank you for your service to our great country. (Dexter Eudell Smith)
My dad would have been 94 on November 12, 2020. (Eanon Smith)
The flag that flies at our house.
Veterans Day gives Americans the opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans. However, most Americans confuse this holiday with Memorial Day, reports the Department of Veterans Affairs.
What's more, some Americans don't know why we commemorate our Veterans on Nov.11. It's imperative that all Americans know the history of Veterans Day so that we can honor our former service members properly.
A Brief History of Veterans Day
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.
In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill ensured three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the last Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on Oct. 25, 1971.
Finally on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on November 11.
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The difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day
Memorial Day honors service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle. Deceased veterans are also remembered on Veterans Day but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.
Missing Person Table that we set up at our get-togethers.
This table setting represents those missing from each of the five services - Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and non-military civilians. It symbolizes that they are with us in spirit.
This honors ceremony tradition began with the Viet Nam War; however, Americans should never forget our brave men and women who have answered our nation's call, served, and are serving the cause of FREEDOM in a special way... never forgetting the sacrifices that have been made.
Objects with Special Meaning:
The round table represents an everlasting concern for our men and women missing.
The white cloth symbolizes the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith, awaiting answers.
The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.
A slice of lemon on the bread plate reminds us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.
A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.
The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.
The inverted glass symbolizes their inability to share in a toast honoring them.
The chairs are empty. They are missing.
Even though the initial purpose of The Missing Person Table Ceremony was to honor those Missing in Action and Prisoners of War, it can also honor all those Missing from Home. Those who are still fighting on foreign soil are Missing from Home. Those who have been injured and are in hospitals around the world are Missing from Home. Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice will always be Missing from Home.
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Redlands Lions Club - Grand Junction, Colorado
Flags on Harleys at Veteran's Day Parade
Grand Junction, Colorado
Saturday, November 8, 2008
