Today is Veteran’s Day, a day when we pay tribute to all the men and women who have served our country.
Being the daughter of a Marine, I was raised with much pride and respect for our freedom, which my father taught me was not free. Being a proud American, wearing and displaying the red, white and blue was a family tradition. I was also taught to stand still during the playing of the National Anthem with my eyes on the flag and my hand on my heart. To this day, I continue that practice no matter what the person beside me, in front of me or behind me does.
Many of you have heard me say the first day I met my husband, Scott Teague, and found out he was a man of God and a Marine, that was all I needed to know . . . and yes, although it may come across in a jokingly matter, I was very serious. My father was the first man I fell in love with and my husband will be the last. Somewhat flippantly, I’ve told Scott being a Marine was ironically not on “my list” of characteristics I was looking for in my husband, but it certainly should have been. What a bonus I received, huh . . . :)
Earlier today Scott was one of 35 veterans recognized at a Veterans Day program at South Greene High School. Thank God, I felt well enough to attend. I was honored to sit by Scott’s side and among other men and women who have served or are serving our country. As I sat there, on the gym floor, I also found myself in the midst of where I spent four years cheering on the South Greene Rebels, as well as where my father spent many years as the PA announcer, which he loved . . . and took his job very seriously :) When prayer was no longer permitted, he retired. It is amazing how the paths in our life often bring us back to the same places yet for different purposes.
Do you know the history of Veterans Day? I have heard it before, but as a part of their program, a few students shared the history. To that end, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you why we observe and honor our Veterans on this day:
World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, otherwise known as a temporary end of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. For that reason, November 11, 1918 is regarded as the end of the “war to end all wars”.
Therefore, it all began on November 11, 1919. Woodrow Wilson proclaimed this day as Armistice Day in the United States. While declaring this day as a holiday, Wilson highlighted the fact this day was observed to honor “the heroism of those who died in the country’s service”. Eventually, an act passed on May 13 1938, making provisions for declaring November 11th every year a legal holiday.
By 1954, the US had participated in two major wars: WWII and the Korean War, wherein many American soldiers lost their lives. Taking a note of this, the Veterans Affairs urged Congress to amend the Act of 1938 and replace the word Armistice with Veterans, making this day Veterans Day.
On June 1, 1954, Congress amended this act, remaining this day from Armistice Day to “Veterans Day”. Since then, this day has been observed as Veterans Day in the United States.
Though it was initially decided the 11th day of the 11th month of every year will be observed as Veterans Day, in 1971, it was shifted to the fourth Monday of October, which was October 25, 1971. This change, however, resulted in a great deal of confusion, and eventually it was shifted back to November 11 in 1978.
In conclusion, I extend my sincere gratitude to all Veterans, our heroes, who dedicated and sacrificed their lives for our country, especially to my father and husband. But you know something? We should acknowledge and pay tribute to our Veterans every day, not just one day of the year. To that end, I challenge you, as I will challenge myself, to say thank you to a Veteran when you see someone in uniform . . . turn our admiration into words. Being a daughter and wife of a Marine, I will close with this quote by President Ronald Reagan “Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem”.
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