Veteran's Day

[dali71]

This is a Veteran's Day thread, meant to honor those who have served our nation. This is NOT the place for a personal quarrel. Have some respect and fight with each other in another thread or via PM.

 

[Sinsear]

Just look at your own post history. Brown people from Africa to west Asia is all you ever rant about.
"You might want to go back and ask your Iranian handlers"
"Fuck Islam"
"Durka durka jihad is ok. Ten commandments is not"
"what a douche; looking like a ghetto.."

So report me ratboy. And Randy Moss did look like a ghetto superstar in that press conference. He acted like one as well. Report me ratboy.

 

[dammitgibs]

 

[PJABBER]

Best wishes to all the vets that post here and to the memory of those who gave all.

Sua Sponte!

(USA/USAR 1976 - 1989)

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

 

[Greenman]

lol @ this thread.
I'm guessing most of you guys don't have a clue what today is about.

Today is a very special day. November 11 marks the end of fighting in World War 1. You're supposed to remember what WW1 was all about, why it started, and how it could have been avoided. The point is that millions of people died for nothing. The issue that caused that war was was not resolved by the time the war ended, and it's still not resolved today. The Balkans are still a region of constant battles and bullshit.

You guys beating your chest and having military parades just don't get it. That is the bullshit that started World War 1. Powerful countries were all flexing their muscles and showing off and none of them were willing to relax and work things out. Austria-Hungary's first response to terrorism was military action against Serbia. Russia responded by mobilizing the army and preparing for attack against Austria-Hungary. Rather than rethinking the situation and backing down, Austria-Hungary got full support from Germany to keep going. Germany and Austria-Hungary declaring war against Russia brought France into the war. Britain and France had a fairly good relationship, so Britain joined the war as well.

After 4 years of fighting and millions of people dead, nothing was gained. Austria-Hungary was broken apart, Germany was broken apart, Russia was overthrown and became the Soviet Union, and France and Britain both lost an entire generation of young men. All of that just to defend a group of state-supported Muslim Serbian terrorists who blew up the wtc killed the leader of a country.

And a special thanks to you for being an obnoxious know it all asshole. I really appreciate the extra effort you put into being a repellent beautiful being.

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Had you fully read this thread, you would have noticed that the perp was admonished.

This post contributed nothing to the thread

Common Courtesy

 

[fskimospy]

US Navy 1999-2006, OIF, Umm Qasr 2003

The shrieking, insults, etc being thrown at a guy for reminding people that much America now celebrates it in the same jingoistic, nationalist way that CAUSED Veterans Day to come into existence is disgusting to me.

It's a very valid point, and one that we would all be well served to acknowledge instead of attack.

 

[Sinsear]

US Navy 1999-2006, OIF, Umm Qasr 2003

The shrieking, insults, etc being thrown at a guy for reminding people that much America now celebrates it in the same jingoistic, nationalist way that CAUSED Veterans Day to come into existence is disgusting to me.

It's a very valid point, and one that we would all be well served to acknowledge instead of attack.

Thanks for your service. The last thing I need is to be lectured on Veteran's Day by a Canadian. Let him run amok in the Remembrance Day thread.

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You were previously advised yesterday to stay out of this thread because of your attitude.

Ignoring that has caused you to lose posting privilidges for a day

Common Courtesy

 

[fskimospy]

Thanks for your service. The last thing I need is to be lectured on Veteran's Day by a Canadian. Let him run amok in the Remembrance Day thread.

I don't need or want any thanks for my service.

If you are really in a giving mood though, thank me by not behaving like you have been in this thread.

 

[PJABBER]

As has been brought up in previous posts, Veterans Day is not Armistice Day, though this day of remembrance and honor is derived from the original recognition of the sacrifices made in the course of WWI.

I am truly offended by the claim that this is some kind of jingoistic exercise. Whether vets are proud of their service, wish not to remember their experiences, usually some combination of both, the day is set aside for others to recognize the sacrifices made.

We "celebrate" and grieve at the same time. It is seldom one or the other exclusively and each time we think of such things our thoughts and feelings change.

I take time each Veterans Day to visit a local VA hospital or call some of the families of troopers that served with me. I was a junior officer when I first made a point to reach out to the parents, widows and children of those who died or were wounded to let them know that their son, husband, father did not die or suffer without recognition of the value of their sacrifice.

Some prefer to forget, others prefer to remember, but none are untouched. So, except with those who were closest, the conversations are not often reminiscences but expressions of understanding. It often remains an uncomfortable conversation, the value uncertain except that it provides a moment of continuity between people, between generations.

The best we can do is our best and that still seems never enough.

History of Veterans Day

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed 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.”

Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect

​

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.
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An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. From left: Alvin J. King, Wayne Richards, Arthur J. Connell, John T. Nation, Edward Rees, Richard L. Trombla, Howard W. Watts

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On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.

In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was 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. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much 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 returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day:

A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

 

[fskimospy]

I'm terribly sad to have so deeply offended PJABBER.

Veterans day was not a jingoistic exercise in its creation, but many Americans view it in a way that makes it so now. Cutting and pasting text from somewhere else in no way addresses that.

 

[PJABBER]

I'm terribly sad to have so deeply offended PJABBER.

Veterans day was not a jingoistic exercise in its creation, but many Americans view it in a way that makes it so now. Cutting and pasting text from somewhere else in no way addresses that.

As you said, you don't care. Others do. Leave them to it.

BTW, if you clicked through the link you would see that the history comes from the Department of Veterans Affairs. You might want to explore that site to see what services are available.

 

[fskimospy]

As you said, you don't care. Others do. Leave them to it.

BTW, if you clicked through the link you would see that the history comes from the Department of Veterans Affairs. You might want to explore that site to see what services are available.

I guarantee you I know far more about what services are available from the VA than you do. (regrettably for me, haha)

I never said I don't care about Veterans Day, what I said is that I don't need or want thanks. (especially from the people on here) Veterans Day is a great opportunity to remind America that we've come to love war too much and to remember the price we pay for loving it. I wish we'd get back to that.

 

[BoomerD]

I guarantee you I know far more about what services are available from the VA than you do. (regrettably for me, haha)

I never said I don't care about Veterans Day, what I said is that I don't need or want thanks. (especially from the people on here) Veterans Day is a great opportunity to remind America that we've come to love war too much and to remember the price we pay for loving it. I wish we'd get back to that.

Waidamint Eskimo...are you trying to imply that Veteran's Day is about something more than just "paid holidays/days off" and sales?

Are you sure? You'd never be able to tell most years...

I'm one of the old "Armistice Day" guys...Veteran's Day should be completely separate...and ALL Veterans and ONLY veterans should get the day off with pay.

Anyway, Fuck the VA. We went around and around in the 70's...and I haven't set foot in a VA facility since.

I've been told that they've improved since then... but they can still kiss my fat white ass.

 

[fskimospy]

Waidamint Eskimo...are you trying to imply that Veteran's Day is about something more than just "paid holidays/days off" and sales?

Are you sure? You'd never be able to tell most years...

I'm one of the old "Armistice Day" guys...Veteran's Day should be completely separate...and ALL Veterans and ONLY veterans should get the day off with pay.

Anyway, Fuck the VA. We went around and around in the 70's...and I haven't set foot in a VA facility since.

I've been told that they've improved since then... but they can still kiss my fat white ass.

Well I can't be too angry at the VA, it saved my life. What I've found is that if everything goes according to plan the VA works well. As soon as you get off the regular script though, all bets are off.

 

[alkemyst]

Semantics aside Veteran's Day means whatever the fuck it's supposed to mean to those that served.

Only fucking geeks would muddle it up with history and origins.