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Today is Veteran's Day. A day to remember. And honor those who served in the US armed services during times of peace and times of war.
It was Ronald Reagan who said,
"We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty, though it never was. Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause."
Some thoughts about those who have, and do serve our country.
Be informed, not misled.
Remembering.
World War I was known at the time as "The Great War," officially ending with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice or temporary cessation of hostilities between the allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month.
For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of "the war to end all wars."
Armistice Day was changed to "Veteran's Day" in the Uniform Holiday Bill signed on June 28, 1968, and was initially intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday. Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day.
Due to public demand Veteran's Day was changed to always being celebrated on November 11, no matter which day of the week it falls, thus preserving the historical significance of the date.
Veteran's Day is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice.
And to remember.
Nathan Hale was so committed to the cause of America he said: "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."
Later, Abraham Lincoln would say at Gettysburg,
"The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."
Winston Churchill famously said, "Never was so much owed by so many to so few."
Patrick Henry reminded us: "The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, and the brave."
Cultural dementia.
They have canceled the annual Veteran's Day parade.
Governor Abbott tweeted, "The City of Austin's overreaching requirements has forced the Austin Veterans Parade Foundation to cancel their event. I'm inviting them to host a rally on the south steps of the Texas State Capitol. We celebrate our nation's heroes in Texas."
The City of Austin's overreaching COVID requirements have forced the Austin Veterans Parade Foundation to cancel their annual event.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 9, 2021
I'm inviting them to host a rally on the south steps of the Texas State Capitol.
We celebrate our nation's heroes in Texas. pic.twitter.com/0BsyIBGQF3
Indeed they do. But not all Texans celebrate, apparently.
Census Bureau data from 2020 shows that roughly 1.4 million military veterans live in the state of Texas which represents 6.8% of the state's overall population.
Luis Rodriguez, who is head of the Wind Therapy Motorcycle Freedom Riders, a military support group, says: "It's a slap in the face to those who served. It's an open-air parade."
He says they allowed Formula 1 to go ahead, and that had 5 times the number of people as the Super Bowl. They did nothing to shut that down. They're playing politics with the honor of veterans who have served this country."
To Patrick Henry's point---victory also involves vigilance by those who are not serving in the armed forces.
G.K. Chesterton wisely said this: "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
Vigilance is necessary to be sure our country is always behind the soldier.
May God bless those who have served and are currently serving our country in the armed forces...And the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and did not return from the distant battlefield.
Be Vigilant. Be Informed. Be Engaged. Be Prayerful. And Remember.