There are many Memorial Day services today honoring veterans who have passed away while serving in the military. The program I attended this year had members of the local American Legion with a school band and an individual playing the bag pipes.
Memorial Day Program
The rain held off so that the local American Legion did not get wet today as they presented the Memorial Day services at area cemeteries.
Remembering the Sacrifice
Today is Veterans Day, which is a day to honor and thank the military veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces. It was originally celebrated as Armistice Day after the end of World War I on November 11, 1918.
Thanking Veterans
One hundred years ago, World War I formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. Veterans Day grew from Armistice Day, which pays tribute to all American veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.
Remembering on Veterans Day
Today might have been filled with picnics, camping and parties to celebrate the long holiday weekend but others visited cemeteries or special events which honored the fallen military personnel who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The American Legion conducted services at all the cemeteries in my area with prayers, gun salute and the echo taps.
Honoring the Fallen
Many people visited cemeteries or memorials today to honor and remember the people who died while serving in the armed forces. The local American Legion Post visited and presented a program at the cemeteries in my area. So hopefully people remembered the real reason for today’s holiday – that it isn’t just a day off to have fun, but that people gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.
Remembering the Ultimate Sacrifice
Today on this Veterans Day, we remember all persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with other holidays, including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o’clock in the morning—the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918.
Veterans Day
