"In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."
On November 11th, 1918 at 11 AM Paris time, the Armistice with Germany came into effect. World War I was ended on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. One year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Armistice Day to be celebrated on November 11th, 1919. Seven years later, Congress would request that it be made into a national holiday, to be observed every year. In 1953 Al King began a campaign to make Armistice Day a day to celebrate all Veterans. One year later, President Eisenhower would sign in to law, a bill to make this day a national Holiday to celebrate the service of all of our Veterans.
On this day, America celebrates the service of all who have served our country, those living and those who have died. Other nations take this day to remember their fallen brethren in WWI. To those members of this forum who celebrate Remembrance Day, I invite you to join in the discussions. I am asking that we limit the scope of this thread to celebrating those who have served, and remembering those who have fallen. Political discussions would perhaps be better suited to take place in other threads.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On Novemeber 11th, 1921 an unidentified US serviceman from WWI was entombed there.
The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. On November 11th, 1920 an unidentified British serviceman from WWI was entombed in Westminster Abby.
The Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On May 28th, 2000 an unknown Canadian serviceman from WWI was buried here.
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This is the one day I actually observe.
I'm in Iraq right now and totally forgot about this. Irony
I'd say more but I wouldn't know how to articulate it. Just assume whenever mcdermott posts that's what I think about it as well
We still have one alive. Frank Woodruff Buckles. I met him a decade or so ago, and even at his advanced age continues to this day to speak in front of history classes. He's also campaigning for a WWI memorial.
The silence was observed by everyone in the crowd except the schmuck in front of me, but he was a thicko kid and his nanny was embarrased enough to put him in a headlock and cover his mouth with her hand, so I decided against throttling him.
One veteran had to have a sit down on the parade, but since he looked about 95 I figured he could do with it. In stark contrast the memorial service I attend every year in Nottingham is paraded mostly by utterly feeble cadets, one year 8 of whom had to have a sit down because standing to attention had tired them out.
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So today on West Point they're holding a Veterans Day ruck march for anyone who wants to participate. It's a fundraising effort for our Veterans, and I think it's awesome. I unfortunately cannot participate because of practice. The amount of people that have shown up to this thing is staggering, it's not just cadets, there are civilians all over the place.
For all of you who have spent some time in the sandbox, thanks for what you guys have done / are doing. I'll be out there with you guys in a couple more years hopefully
I'll save you a porta john
One year we were asked to play at a local legion and the chaplin started into a bit of a...rant about homosexuals. On Rememberance Day. Needless to say it was awkward and one of the legion members piped up and told him now was not the time and someone else put a hand on his shoulder and escorted him aside.
Woooooo!
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GT: Tanith 6227
I have thanked each one of them and told them of the Applesbee's thing.
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Fun fact; I'm named after a distant relative who died in the line of duty near the end of World War II, with his middle and first name switched.
Or at least, that's what I've been told.
The Division, Warframe (XB1)
GT: Tanith 6227
My middle name is from a great uncle who fought in WW1.
Wait what?
http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/front/article/853647
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dswVUdlK9DY
It makes me so mad.
Beaten, handily.
The Division, Warframe (XB1)
GT: Tanith 6227
Similarly, I've never thought that a person deserves honor and respect purely for being a veteran. There are lots of vets that are selfish, violent douchebags who just wanted to shoot a gun or use a uniform to pick up chicks. At the same time, the dedication that many vets show, the time and effort they put into helping others, and the raw love of country and liberty that they embody is breathtaking. I also know that as a privileged suburban kid, I can't possibly understand the dangers, stresses, and generally shittiness that they have to deal with. Especially in a time of increasingly hopeless, foolish, endless war, the fact that people would choose to join the Army (or other branches) is mind-boggling and admirable.
Keep kicking ass, guys. We'll keep the home fires burning.
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I heard this on the radio first thing yesterday morning. I live in Moncton so it's been a hot topic here for the past little bit. They're still going through with the Rememberance Day ceremony but yeah, I hope they catch those punks. It was a pretty big cenotaph too so sadly it couldn't have been an accident or just one person. If I recall though, Fredericton has had a few instances of some racist markings painted in places around the city. I wouldn't be surprised if this was somehow linked.
What a fucked up thing to do.
In my company, we make great efforts to hire veterans. We have a number of air force, army, navy, and marines working for us that are now retired or detached. Good folks. Smart as hell. Many using the benefits to pursue a degree. Ia m proud to call them friends and colleagues.
I completely agree. I remember a few years ago there was someone spotted pissing on the war memorial in Ottawa actually during the Rememberance Day service. Man, I was half expecting a thorough beatdown of the guy.
Haha, well, it's a step up from Golden Corral at least.
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So, everyone who participates in a noble profession - whether they are a doctor, a teacher, or a soldier - deserves initial respect simply for their participation. They may lose that respect for doing a shitty job, but when someone tells you their profession and it is noble, your very first response should be respect - that is correct. Should they do something to lose that respect as it pertains to their profession, then in my opinion you may allow your respect to lessen.
I can think of several vets who I think are complete dickheads - one in particular I particularly loathe, as a person. He's a complete asshole to me, because I went to his college's rival college. (stupidest fucking reason ever, imo) I would avoid the shit out of him normally, but on today of all days I will seek him out and tell him I appreciate his service. Because even though he's a dick to me personally, I respect him highly as a soldier and I respect his service to my country. Not every soldier is Jesus incarnate; for all their flaws they are still excellent soldiers and they are still willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.
You have no soul. Though that could be the complete lack of Golden Corral within 250 miles talking...
As for Veteran's Day, we have a very nice cemetery right down the road with a number of veterans buried. Every war is represented from the Revolutionary right up through Iraq. I just got back a few minutes ago from the short ceremony there put on by the VFW and local Masons. Very nice.
Over here we call today 'Wapenstilstand', which is Dutch for Armistice. But we also celebrate veterans, dress them up in uniforms, show off medals.
Which is a shame. It should be about the victims of war. And sure a lot of those are soldiers. Or, if they survived, veterans.
But being a soldier is about being ready to kill. Ready to die, too, but since soldiers are (outside of recent western armies) young and brimming with testosterone it's not something they can truly consider beforehand.
So all of those war victims? There wouldn't be a single one if there weren't any soldiers. No soldiers, no armies, no war.
The worst part about today's celebrations is that it cons young people into thinking that there's something heroic about dying. All the pomp and medals and those damned poppies...
They're just there to convince a new generation to go out and get killed. And kill.
Creating new veterans, and new victims of war.
Now that's ironic.
And a god-damned shame.
Armistice day should be about ending wars. Which was popular with the people back in 1918. I'll leave it up to your imagination what kind of people didn't like the idea of peace. Do you really think they would have gotten anywhere without soldiers?
It's definitely nice having that many people to talk to about the military.
comme nous, qui leur avons survécu.
Ils ne connaîtront jamais
l'outrage ni le poids des années.
Quand viendra l'heur du crépuscule
et celle de l'aurore,
nous nous souviendrons d'eux.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
o_O
You just don't get it, do you. The only reason you're here, contemplating your anarchistic fruitopia is because hundreds of thousands of men died keeping your family from becoming slaves or just plain dead. We'll always need a military because there is always going to be some jack off who wants to take what you have.
As a vet, I can honestly say go fuck yourself.