A Salute to Our Veterans

Today, Nov. 11th, marks Veterans Day, a holiday that honors those who have died or fought in all of America's wars.  Nov. 11th is the anniversary of the end of World War I, "The Great War."  Fighting ceased and an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.  The Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Palace of Versailles in France seven months later.

In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day and it has been observed since, though the date has changed several times.  An Act of Congress approved in 1938 made Nov. 11th each year a legal holiday.  The original concept for the celebration was a day observed with parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m.

The 83rd Congress, at the urging of veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the "armistice" and inserting in its place the word "verterans."  With the approval of this legislation in 1954, Nov. 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.  Not only does it preserve the historical significance of the date, but also helps to focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day; a celebration to honor America's veterans both living and dead for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  Sylvia Alliegro

Here are two very touching photos honored this year:

First Place: Todd Heisler, The Rocky Mountain News

Last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene:  "See the people in the windows?  They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines.  You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home.  They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives.  They're going to remember bringing that Marine home."

Second Place:  Todd Heisler, The Rocky Mountain News

The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time.  The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag.  Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat', and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it," she said.  "I think that's what he would have wanted."

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1.  Jesus Christ
2.  The American military

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

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