Monday, November 12, 2012

Remembering Our Veterans

Flanders Fields
If you live in the United States, chances are you may have the day off today (especially if you work for the government or the financial industry) in order to take the time and remember our veterans.  The actual holiday was yesterday, but our nation has decided that we will still get a day off to celebrate the many sacrifices these soldiers and families have made.

In case you were wondering how Veterans' Day started, you can read up on it here.  In short, Veterans' Day was commemorated on November 11, 1919 to celebrate the end of WWI.  At the time, it was known as Armistice Day, but would soon enough be changed to "Veterans Day" as another world war rocked the world.

Besides getting a "free" day off from work, I encourage you to take the time and call up a friend or family member who may have or is currently serving in the armed services and thank them for all the sacrifices they have made.  For those of us who have never experienced combat, like myself, I can only imagine the things these young men and women have seen.

In commemoration of Veterans' Day, I leave you with the poem "In Flanders Fields" written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel 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

And so, with that I wish all the Veterans a wonderful and blessed holiday and praise you for the many sacrifices you and your family have made.

Wonderful Moment of the Day:  Celebrating the freedoms in which other men and women have fought and died for.

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