Armistice Day 11/11/19

Armistice Day 11/11/19 100 Years Later

11TH OF NOVEMBER VETERANS DAY

HONORING ALL WHO SERVED

By Ken Riege USAF 1985 – 1993

That’s correct; the very first “Armistice Day” was on 11 November 1919 marking the 1st Anniversary of the ending of WW1 or the War to End all Wars. Today, we call this day “Veterans Day” which is a day to honor all those who have served. Of course here in Gallup, we have decided that every day is “Veterans Day” which is the main reason we still carry the title of “Most Patriotic Small Town in America.”

On 11 November 1919, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issued this message on the first Armistice Day, in which he expressed what he felt the day meant to Americans:

A year ago today, our enemies laid down their arms in accordance with an armistice which rendered them impotent to renew hostilities, and gave to the world an assured opportunity to reconstruct its shattered order and to work out in peace a new and juster set of international relations. The soldiers and people of the European Allies had fought and endured for more than four years to uphold the barrier of civilization against the aggressions of armed force. We ourselves had been in the conflict something more than a year and a half.

With splendid forgetfulness of mere personal concerns, we remodeled our industries, concentrated our financial resources, increased our agricultural output, and assembled a great army, so that at the last our power was a decisive factor in the victory. We were able to bring the vast resources, material and moral, of a great and free people to the assistance of our associates in Europe who had suffered and sacrificed without limit in the cause for which we fought.

Out of this victory, there arose new possibilities of political freedom and economic concert. The war showed us the strength of great nations acting together for high purposes, and the victory of arms foretells the enduring conquests which can be made in peace when nations act justly and in furtherance of the common interests of men.

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 nations.

WOODROW WILSON

It wasn’t until after WW2 and the Korean War that Congress approved a change and on 1 June 1954, November 11th became forever known as Veterans Day, a day to honor all veterans who have served. 2011 was a very interesting date as it marked the first Veterans Day, where the date was 11-11-11. This of course will not happen again for another 92 years.

In doing some research on this story, Military.com listed the following 8 ways to show your appreciation for a veteran on Veterans Day. They are as follows: 1. Show Up

Attend a Veterans Day event in your area — not just a picnic with friends but an honest-to-goodness parade or service for veterans. Roy Rogers said, “We can’t all be heroes; someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.” Veterans Day is a great opportunity to do just that. 2. Donate

There are a plethora of wonderful organizations who offer all manner of support, services, and appreciation for our service members. 3. Fly A Flag - Correctly

Veterans Day is a great opportunity to fly the flag! Just make sure you’re observing the proper rules for display. Not sure exactly what those are? Check out Military.com’s guide to the flag. 4. Ask Someone About Their Service

It seems like we all know someone who has served and Veterans Day is a great time to ask them about their service. Some questions to get started are: What did you do in the military? How long did you serve? What was your favorite moment in all your time in the service? Did anyone else in your family serve? Why did you choose to go into the service branch you did? Do not ask if they’ve killed anyone and should your veteran be a combat vet who is either unwilling to share or plainly states what they went through, be supportive without being intrusive. Sometimes you don’t have to say anything, just listen and give them your full attention. 5. Write

If you know a veteran, write a simple postcard or e-card that recognizes them on Veterans Day. If you don’t know a veteran, look up the closest military installation and send one there. Small acts of recognizing someone’s service, even anonymously, are appreciated. 6. Don’t Confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day

Veterans Day is a time to thank those who are serving or have served and are still with us. Memorial Day is to reflect and remember those who lost their lives in service to their country. Confusing the two or combining the two diminishes the importance of both. 7. Visit a VA Hospital

Find out what the policies are at your nearest VA hospital for interacting with patients or volunteering, and spend the day with a veteran. Many VA facilities will have events

on Veterans Day or a special lunch you can help prepare. Even if you never interact with a veteran, helping at a facility is a way to give back. 8. Get Outdoors with a Veteran

Invite a veteran or a military family to explore a national park — admission is free for all visitors on Veterans Day. Being outside helps improve physical and mental health, boosts emotional well-being, and is a great way to celebrate the day with a veteran.

Gallup, like many other small towns and big cities across this great nation, will celebrate Veterans Day with parades and ceremonies. However, I believe the best way to honor all military and veterans is to always live every day to the fullest and celebrating the freedoms that have been paid for by those who have or continue wearing the uniform of our country. For me there is no greater honor (other than earning the titles of husband and father) than to have earned the title of veteran.

I am extremely honored to be traveling with Mr. Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura in November to New York City to participate in our nation’s largest Veterans Day Parade. This event will mark the 100th Anniversary of the 1st Armistice’s Day and will also follow the same route as the WW2 Victory Parade in 1946. Side note to that, Hershey was also in that parade. This parade is put on every year by the United War Veterans Council and will be streamed live through WABC-TV on their website abc7ny.com. For more information on the United War Veterans Council, please visit their website at www.uwvc.org.

*I wanted to add a bit to a story I had done a few months back on the Medal of Honor and the recipients of that medal. I was visiting with Gallup’s favorite son and recipient of the Medal of Honor, Mr. Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura, and we were talking about the Medal of Honor Quotes that I have been adding to the end of each story. Hershey was telling me he really likes how I have been adding those quotes and giving the readers a little insight to his fellow MOH Recipients. Hershey wanted me to add that each MOH Recipient have many things in common, of course the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is these men are the bravest of the brave, but Hershey said it goes deeper than just bravery on the battlefield and when you read their citations they all point to one thing. Saving lives. They may have been in action like placing their own body on a live hand grenade or taking on a large number of advancing soldiers; their willingness to place their own lives in harms way so as to save the lives of their fellow Americans is what all these brave Americans have in common.

This month’s Medal of Honor Quote comes from one of the latest recipients of the Medal of Honor, Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha, who earned his Medal of Honor during the Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan. *Staff Sgt. Ty Carter

“When you tell someone you are going to do something, do it! Your actions represent who you are—not what you say.” — Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha

The book “Red Platoon” tells the story of this battle. I have read this book and am honored to be able to call Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha a friend.

In closing, I was going to include some pictures of different Veterans Day Parades from across the country, but instead of doing that, just wanted to post this one picture and a short Veterans Day Poem I came across while doing some research for this article. The poem was written by Ms. Debbie Bongiovanni of California:

We salute each and every one of you,

On this very special day,

Because you served your country with so much pride,

In a very special way.

So on this day we say thank you, And we’re as proud as can be, Because you risked your life for all of us, And now we are all free!

Welcome home!

JAMESTOWN

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We are fortunate to be so close to so many unique places to visit. If you are thinking about a day trip, consider a drive to Sky City. It holds thousands of years of history to be discovered.

Each year community organizations work to make Gallup a better place. Rotary International Club has provided scholarships to hundreds of local high school students who wish to pursue a college degree.

Gallup, New Mexico, is known for beautiful sunny days. So when we see our majestic pyramid peak covered in snow, we are amazed by its beauty.

One of the best ways to enjoy our area is to find those hidden gems. Ancient Way Café located near the El Morro National Park is one of those gems.