Veterans Day

History

Veterans' Day, November 11, was originally Armistice Day. The Armistice (truce) which ended World War I was signed on November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. - the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

In his 1918 Armistice Day proclamation, President Woodrow Wilson said, "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".

In 1938, Congress passed a bill making Armistice Day a holiday. In 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day in honor of veterans who had fought in all U.S. wars.

In Flanders Fields
by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

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.

Websites

Read about "In Flanders Fields" and Lieutenant Colonel McCrae.
arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm

More World War I poems
worldwar1.com/heritage/wpoets.htm

World War I - Trenches on the Web
worldwar1.com

Armed Forces Tribute
http://home.insightbb.com/~armedforcestribute/

Our thanks to all who have served and are serving.

Dave & Rosemary

North Metro Denver Real Estate: Denver, Brighton, Thornton, Broomfield, Westminster, & Northglenn
Dave Babb, Broker, ABR, e-PRO, GRI
Keller Williams Preferred Realty
Direct: (303) 637-9370  Email: Dave@DaveBabb.com  Website: http://www.DaveBabb.com

Copyright 1999-2009 Dave Babb. All rights reserved.