Does anyone know the significance of the phrase "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month"? It's the time, day and month when in 1918 the peace treaty was signed bringing an end to the conflict we know today as World War I. People notice and remember unusual coincidences like this.
In the years following 1918 many nations chose to honor those who fought and died in the war with special ceremonies held on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In England, an Unknown Soldier was buried in Westminster Abbey. In France an Unknown Soldier was buried in Paris beneath the Arch de Triumph. In the United States, on November 11, 1921, we created the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Our Congress made this day a national holiday, originally known as Armistice Day, to honor the end of the "war to end all wars".
Unfortunately, there were other wars. Over time, other nameless heroes have been added to our Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Today, there is an unidentified soldier from WWI, WWII, The Korean War, and the Vietnam War. This sacred place has come to symbolize all those who have fought and died in the service of our country. Armistice Day has been renamed Veterans Day. Veterans Day should be a time when we remember, and honor, all that have served in this nations armed forces.
For a brief time (1971 - 1977) Veterans Day was moved from November 11th. Congress turned it into one of those Monday, three-day weekend holidays. But people felt strongly about the significance of the coincidental date, and Congress had to change it back.
Wherever you are this Friday, remember our veterans on the 11th hour hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. I hope many of you will join us at Memorial Park to personally thank some of the veterans of Warwick.
With thanks to Rob Hathaway and ScoutoRama.com.
In the years following 1918 many nations chose to honor those who fought and died in the war with special ceremonies held on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In England, an Unknown Soldier was buried in Westminster Abbey. In France an Unknown Soldier was buried in Paris beneath the Arch de Triumph. In the United States, on November 11, 1921, we created the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Our Congress made this day a national holiday, originally known as Armistice Day, to honor the end of the "war to end all wars".
Unfortunately, there were other wars. Over time, other nameless heroes have been added to our Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Today, there is an unidentified soldier from WWI, WWII, The Korean War, and the Vietnam War. This sacred place has come to symbolize all those who have fought and died in the service of our country. Armistice Day has been renamed Veterans Day. Veterans Day should be a time when we remember, and honor, all that have served in this nations armed forces.
For a brief time (1971 - 1977) Veterans Day was moved from November 11th. Congress turned it into one of those Monday, three-day weekend holidays. But people felt strongly about the significance of the coincidental date, and Congress had to change it back.
Wherever you are this Friday, remember our veterans on the 11th hour hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. I hope many of you will join us at Memorial Park to personally thank some of the veterans of Warwick.
With thanks to Rob Hathaway and ScoutoRama.com.
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