The music now playing is
I STILL BELIEVE
This Award was given to me by Jules
I understand that it is the first she has
issued of it's type so that makes me doubly
honored to be thought worthy of such an award.
Thanks, Jules.
As we near another Veterans' Day, I wonder just what its meaning A day to relax and have fun. The irony is As a Vietnam Veteran, our choices were limited, it was college or
is to the ones that did not serve in our military. Veterans Day
is a holiday where the politicians right down to the local
level receive a day off work with pay, along with the people that
work in banks and schools.
I think you will find that a lot of veterans
will have to go to work that day and most other
holidays. I wonder how much of the history behind
this holiday is being taught in our schools today
and if the high school students, especially the ones
that are nearing graduation are aware of the
sacrificices that the veterans made that ensures these students
the rights to make decisions as to what they are going to do with
their lives when they finish school. They can choose whether to get a
job, or go to college, or join the military.
Military and most of us couldn't afford to go to college so we was
drafted or volunteered for the service. And a large majority of us
went to Vietnam. World War II and Korean veterans didn't have any
choice, it was go to war. That is why I am doing this page, so that
all the young people have an understanding of the sacrifices that
was made in the past to give you the freedom to make the choices
you have today. If you appreciate these choices take the time out
this Veterans Day to thank a Vet.
A Veterans' Day, originally called Armistice Day, came into being
It was also the time when a league of nations was first proposed
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938,
"Armistice Day" was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans The first Veterans' Day under the new law was observed with much
at the close of the first world war--November 11, 1918. One of the
bloodiest conflicts of this century, The War to End All Wars.
by a world figure of prominence--the then U.S. President Woodrow
Wilson--in answer to a dream that in future nations could settle
differences by discussing them and coming to an amicable agreement
without bloodshed. Official recognition of Armistice Day was made
in a concurrent resolution (44 Stat. 1982) enacted by Congress on
June 4, 1926, In 1938, on the eve of WWII, the U.S. Congress finally
voted Armistice Day as a legal holiday.
made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday.
of World War I, but after World War II and the Korean Conflict many
realized that some recognition was due those who had served this
country in those conflicts as well. In 1953, the townspeople of
Emporia, Kansas renamed the day "Veterans' Day" Later that same
year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the
first 'Veterans Day Proclamation' The Uniforms Holiday
Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968,
and was intended to insure three-day weekends for Federal employees
by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays-- Washington's
Birthday (later renamed "Presidents' Day"), Memorial Day,
Veterans Day, and Columbus Day.
confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the
commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic
significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on
September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law
94-97 (89 Stat. 479) which would return the annual observance of
Veterans' Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in
1978.
Please remember our POW/MIA's on POW/MIA Recognition Day on September 15th!
Per federal law, the POW/MIA Flag must be flown on this day (in addition to other
mandated days.) If your Post Office does not fly the POW/MIA flag as mandated
by law, contact them directly and inform them they are in violation. Make sure
they have the POW/MIA Flag flying!
Lately I have become concerned about the people I represent. I no Could it be that they don't see me? This is what it must be, because As I wave in the breeze I am waving for each and ever one of them. You are the ones that go to work each day and do what is necessary So the next time you pass by me just give me a wink or allow a Your Flag
longer see the Pride in your eyes that I once seen when I traveled
down your streets in the Veterans Day parades and on the 4th of
July. The people that once saluted me and those that held their
hand over their heart as I passed now just look around to see what
others are doing.
I haven't changed. I am still the same flag that accompanied so many
of our countrymen as they defended this great country.
I represent the people of this country and not the disappointment
you may have with our Government. I have never had a vote in anything.
I stand for the freedom that the people have given to this country.
You are the heroes, not the Government.
to see that the children have clothes and shoes and plenty of food.
That is why I call you heroes. This is the spirit that I represent.
This is why I was created, as a constant reminder to the people of
American that with pride in our country and a strong belief in God
we can over come any obstacle that is put in our path. We are still
the greatest country in the world. WE ARE AMERICA.
glimmer of pride or just a simple wave to let all the soldiers that
have died so you can live free and I can fly free will know that their
sacrifice was not in vain.
I walked through a county courthouse square, He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down. "You see, we got a little hole in that flag there "And it almost fell at the Alamo "On Flanders Field in World War I "She waved from our ships upon the briny foam, "And the government for which she stands "So we raise her up every morning,
On a park bench an old man was sitting there.
I said, "Your old courthouse is kinda rundown,"
He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town."
I said, "Your old flagpole has leaned a little bit,
And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it."
*
"Is this the first time you've been to our little town?"
I said, "I think it is." He said, "I don't like to brag,
But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag."
*
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key
Sat watching it writing "Oh Say Can You See".
And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at it's seams."
*
Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on though.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag."
*
She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun.
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp and low a time or two.
She was in Korea and Vietnam.
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam."
*
And now they've about quit waving her back here at home.
In her own good land here she's been abused...
She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused."
*
is scandalized throughout the land.
And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin,
But she's in good shape for the shape she's in.
'Cause she's been through the fire before
and I believe she can take a whole lot more."
*
Take her down every night.
We don't let her touch the ground
And we fold her up right.
On second thought I DO like to brag,
Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag."
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