As each of us rise each day to go to work or school, or on Sunday when we gather our family and worship in our church, I wonder if we think about what those simple freedoms we enjoy like being able to major in whatever career we chose, or the freedom to worship our Lord, what costs were paid for those freedoms.
The foundation of our great nation was forged in the bravery and blood of our men and women who chose to serve in our Armed Services. In fact Veterans Day itself came about because of those among us who rose up as patriots to fight in the Great War against the tyranny and oppression that sought to stamp out the freedom of others.
One year to the day after a cease fire brought an end to fighting in World War I, November 11, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first Armistice Day to honor those who had served and died during the war. The celebration of Armistice Day was made an official U.S. holiday by Congress in 1938.
Following World War II and the Korean War, on June 1, 1954 Congress officially changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day. On October 8th of that year, President and World War II Veteran Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the first Veteran Day proclamation that read “On this day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.” Expect for a brief time between 1968 and 1978, Veterans Day has and continues to be celebrated on November 11th.
Since the Revolutionary War, more than 2.8 million Americans have been killed or wounded in defense of freedom, both here and around the world. While it is important on this Veterans Day to honor those who died fighting for freedom, and also to thank those veterans among us for serving both in war and peacetime, I believe we should honor our veterans both living and those who have passed every day. After all, those simple freedoms are built on their sacrifice and dedication as true patriots.
LEGISLATIVE COLUMN
By State Representative John “Bam” Carney