In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world rejoiced and celebrated. After four years of bitter war, an armistice was signed. The "war to end all wars" was over. In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation's highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m.. Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was "the War to end all Wars," November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe. Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WW II and Korea, Congress was requested to make this day an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date. We Stood For Freedom We stood for freedom just like you And loved the flag you cherish too Our uniforms felt great to wear You know the feel, and how you care In step we marched, the cadence way The same is true with you today Oh how we tried to do our best As you do now, from test to test How young we were and proud to be Defenders of true liberty So many thoughts bind soldiers well The facts may change, not how we jell Each soldier past, and you now here Do share what will not disappear One thought now comes, straight from my heart For soldiers home, who ve done their part I m honored to have served with you May Godly peace, help get you through And now I ll end with a request Do ponder this, while home at rest America, respect our day Each veteran, helped freedom stay ©2002 Roger J. Robicheau Sites selling US Flags

Many countries celebrate their honored dead and veterans on this day. This day is not to honor war, but the sacrifice made by others for our freedom. FDR's Four Freedoms Speech 899 kb In Flanders Fields by Colonel 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. An explanation of the poem and significance of poppies is found Here FLAG ETIQUETTE: Here are some tips to make sure your tribute is a respectful one: Display the flag only between sunrise and sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs. The flag may be displayed for twenty-four hours if illuminated in darkness. Do not display the flag in inclement weather. Whether displaying the flag vertically or horizontally, make sure the canton of stars is visible on the upper left-hand side. Do not let the flag touch the ground. An unusable flag that is damaged and worn and can no longer be displayed should be destroyed in a dignified way by burning. When not on display, the flag should be respectfully folded into a triangle, symbolizing the tricorn hats worn by colonial soldiers in the Revolutionary War.

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US US Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Day 1998 Disabled American Veterans Remembrance Day in Canada Royal British Legion Their remembrance day movement, and info and Poppy Screensaver The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is also worthy of a visit Australian War Memorial In Flanders Fields a Belgian site Association 1914-1918 of France, homepage. En français. Old Contemptible's Great War Website Heritage of the Great War Netherlands site, primarily in Flemish/Dutch and English New Zealand and the Great War The Versailles Treaty The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century a PBS Site WWI Document Library World War II on the Web Lest We Forget - The High Price of Freedom in World War II Korean War Project Vietnam Veterans of America The Gulf War Experiencing War: Veterans History Project USS LIBERTY Memorial 376th Heavy Bombardment Group, Inc. Veterans Association Let's Say Thanks in Support of our Troops Veterans' Greeting Cards Veterans Ring of Honor Web Site Veterans Day in Cyber Space We Remember! Get your candle! Do you know of a site that should be listed here? Submit your suggestion here

Background by Sheryl
The bordered background was created from several World War I and World War II posters

sjf@sherylfranklin.com

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