VETERANS DAY this year will see many of us still keeping the oldest tradition of standing at attention, facing east towards our National Cemeteries overseas in Europe, for one minute in honoring all our doughboys who gave their lives in WWI. This will happen at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, this year in the 11th year of our millennium.
It was in 1918, at 11:00 o'clock on November 11th that the Armistice ending WWI was signed by Germany at Versailles. Up until 1954, every American observed ARMISTICE DAY by the minute of silence; wearing red poppies which grow in Flanders Fields [or cloth poppies]; and also by reading or reciting "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
by 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.
VETERANS DAY since 1954, when the U.S. Congress changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day; November 11th is now the day to honor all Veterans who have served our nation in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, National Guard, Marines, Navy and Reserves. To all you Veterans, all you men and women who served in the military: We honor you; we love you; and we salute you. Thank you for your service.
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