Veteran’s Day 2006

SeanRox at Have Laptop Will Travel reminds us that yesterday, November 10, is the 231st birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. With my youngest son serving in the Marines, I also want to say Happy Birthday, USMC.

In the U.S., today is Veteran’s Day. The original name of the holiday was Armistice Day, the day the Armistice was signed marking the end of World War I. As President Wilson said in his Armistice Day proclamation:

To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nation.

As time went on, the sentiment to honor the memory of all those who served in our country’s military grew stronger, until in 1954 Armistice Day was renamed Veteran’s Day. President Eisenhower asked us

to observe the day by remembering the sacrifices of all those who fought so gallantly, and through rededication to the task of promoting an enduring peace

Gandhi said

It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence.

To all those who truly have peace in your hearts, I thank you. You make the world a better place. As long as one person on this planet believes violence is the way to enforce their will on others, some sort of military will be necessary. To my sons, Loric and Jon, and to all others who have chosen to serve in this way - Thank you.

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