VETERANS DAY A History of Service & Sacrifice

VETERANS DAY A History of  Service & Sacrifice

World War I resulted in the deaths of 9 million soldiers, sailors, and airmen. The “War To End All Wars” ended at 11 a.m., November 11th, 1918. The leaders decided to cease fighting on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, but the shelling continued until the final seconds as commanders tried in vain to take more territory before the war ended. American Henry Gunther was killed 60 seconds before the fighting stopped. Acting against orders of his sergeant, Gunther fixed his bayonet and charged astonished German troops who were aware the armistice was nearly upon them. They tried to warn the American soldier to stop his attack, but in the end they stopped his charge with a burst of machinegun fire. He was officially the last American killed during what was at that time known simply as “The Great War.”

Soldiers returned home from the trenches of France with horror stories—the likes of which the world had never before heard—and small groups of grateful citizens realized there had to be some small way to repay the debt of this battlefield sacrifice.

At first, November 11th was celebrated as Armistice Day. But the prediction that the horrors of the Great War would be terrible enough to cause nations and their leaders to avoid another conflict did not prove correct. World War I only got its current official name after the next worldwide conflict that would take millions more lives. The surprise Sunday morning attack on Pearl Harbor drew the United States into a war that had already caused tremendous casualties around the Pacific Rim and across much of Europe.

By the time World War II had ended, American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines had witnessed and survived horrors that were unthinkable back in 1918. US Troops in France, World Battlefields across Europe, Asia, Africa, and all the world’s oceans would sometimes take tens of thousands of lives per month. Pilots and aircrews were blown from the sky. Sailors disappeared into the icy depths. And on land, soldiers and Marines faced enemies who seemed willing to commit any atrocity in their effort to promote and advance their ideology. In many cases, the images and the true stories were hidden from the American public, because the truth was deemed just too inflammatory for those on the home front to see. But the men and women who spent time “in theater” were once again asked to bear the weight of unspeakable sacrifice.

And when World War II ended in a blinding white flash on a southern Japanese island, people once again looked for a way to thank those who lived through the hellish battles and incredible sacrifices required to protect the nation. The holiday set aside for those who survived “The Great War” became a day to honor all those who served. On June 1st, 1954, the United States Congress officially replaced the word “Armistice” with the word “Veterans” in order to honor all those who served in the Unites States Armed Forces.

Even the horrors of World War II could not convince world leaders that war was not the answer to their differences. Within five years, Americans were fighting and freezing in Korea. Just over a decade after that, blood was flowing in the jungles of Vietnam. And, lest anyone think that American service members had it easy while serving between major conflicts, there are many “forgotten” events that required the service and sacrifice of those who wear the uniform and serve beneath the flag. Each of these “incidents” made news for a week before slipping off the front pages and drifting into obscurity. But those who were there—those who volunteered to serve and witnessed, first-hand, the struggles required to keep free people free—will never forget places like Beirut, The Gulf of Sidra, Mogadishu, Grenada, Berlin, the Balkans, the Port of Aden, and the countless other locations that never made the national news, but still hold memories for the few who stood between America and her enemies.

As the 21st Century dawned, the United States once again felt the fury of a surprise airborne attack and soon this nation’s sons and daughters were once again called to fight. Tens of thousands once again answered the call. And, as is true of every military operation: All gave some, and some gave all. You see, every single veteran, regardless of the branch of service or the time at which he or she served, wrote a blank check to the United States of America. That check could be redeemed for anything, up to and including the life of the service member.

Those who served did so knowing that they could be sent anywhere and asked to do almost anything in support of policies they did not create and could not amend. They made this promise because they believed they could make a difference as part of an organization dedicated to service and sacrifice. Each of them chose to become part of something bigger than the sum of its parts.

To every man and every woman who has served, who will serve, and who continues to serve; from each branch of the military, know that your commitment to our nation and the freedoms we cherish every day, will never go unnoticed. Your country is forever in your debt and will be forever grateful for your service.