Thank you...

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. It doesn't seem to get as much press as Memorial Day or Labor Day; I guess the fact that they bookend summer makes them stand out. And yet, honoring those who have served our country seems like it should mean more than just a day for good shopping deals. I have a friend with whom I used to work who served in Vietnam. I started asking him via email for stories from the war; he's had a hard time writing things down. Part of it is the "hunt and peck" syndrome, but I think there are just some things our minds and souls would rather forget. But, they need to be remembered, with accuracy; otherwise, it becomes very easy to "alter" history.
Here's a brief history of Veterans Day, from History.com:

A Very Short History of Veteran's Day
World War I, also known as the "Great War" was officially concluded on the 11th hour of the 11th Day of November, at 11 A.M. in 1918. On November 11th of the following year, President Woodrow Wilson declared that day as "Armistice Day" in honor of the peace. (The term armistice means "truce" or the end of wartime hostilities.) This day was marked with public celebrations and a two minute halt to business at 11 AM. In 1921, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated in Arlington Cemetery with a ceremony on November 11th. After this dedication, Armistice Day was adopted in many states and at the federal level as a day to honor veterans. This was made official in 1938 when an act of Congress made Armistice Day a national holiday.


Woodrow Wilson during a procession for the burial of an Unknown Soldier on an Armistice Day, 1921. In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower changed the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day. For several years in the 1970s, Veterans Day was observed in October by many states but in 1978 it was returned to November 11th. Today, Veterans Day is still observed on November 11th as a national holiday to honor all veterans of the United States Armed Forces. (If November 11th falls on a weekend day, the holiday is observed the following Monday.) Throughout the nation, Americans participate in parades, ceremonies, and observances to pay their respects to our servicemen and women, both past and present.


And here's a site that my friend sent me that contains some very interesting FACTS about Vietnam: http://www.vhfcn.org/stat.html . I pray that, in knowing the truth, we won't make the same mistakes in how we treat those who are serving now in Iraq, Afghanistan, and across the globe. I know a lot of incredible families who gladly make BIG sacrifices so that you and I can be safer than we realize. I will make it a point to thank them tomorrow, and I ask you to please, please do the same. That's the least that they deserve.