By Irene Conlan -
November 11, is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. When U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919 he said:
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of 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 nations.”
An Act approved by Congress on May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday; “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’.” In 1954 it was changed to a day to honor all veterans and the name was changed to Veterans Day.
And today we honor all veterans, those who died in the service of our country and those who have lived with the memories and consequences of war. The price they have paid is greater than any of us who have not served can imagine. Some have returned with twisted and maimed bodies and some have returned with minds and emotions twisted by what they have seen and experienced.
I urge you for one day – just one day – to stop your political posturing and wrangling. to stop your arguing about which political party is right or wrong and to stop the verbal bashing of those who don’t agree with you. Stop the rhetoric long enough to remember the men and women who had and have the courage to risk their lives to keep us safe and to keep us free. Those of you who would sacrifice our freedom, remember that they are ready to sacrifice their lives so you, too, can have your opinion and take your stand.
Please, today remember our veterans today with love and gratitude.
Niciun comentariu:
Trimiteți un comentariu