Sunday, November 11, 2018

Honoring Veterans Day 2018




This is a very special Veterans Day.    According to va.gov:
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.”
Again, according to va.gov:
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.
Although there was a great deal of confusion after the Uniform Holiday bill was passed, which gave all Federal Employees a three day weekend, many believed this undermined the true spirit of Veterans Day.  The original date was changed again to reflect the true Veterans Day.  Per va.gov:  
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.
Be sure to share a story or two with a vet today.  There have been all kinds of documentaries on tv this past week highlighting facts about WWI and our (U.S.) involvement.  I knew so little about this war, it is fascinating to see what led up to it and how we stayed out of the war so long.

I learned that most women didn't support weren't in favor of a war, but knew they would be called into service if war was declared.  I learned that blacks saw this as an opportunity to gain recognition by fighting in the trenches.  I learned that women who enlisted were not given benefits once they returned home from war,

and I learned Wilson, our 28th president who advocated for peace, was opposed to declaring war until it was almost too late.  In March, 1917, Teddy Roosevelt threatened to go to the White House and force Wilson to declare war.

Clearly, the U.S. is not the only country with armed forces or the desire to celebrate them.  Even the origins of Veterans Day involved the largest worldwide conflict anyone had ever seen.  Since I like to think on a global scale, here are a few other countries that observe this day.

The United Kingdom (U.K.) has some of the more elaborate celebrations to honor those who have fought for their country.  From late October up to Armistice Day on November 11, the Royal British Legion distributes 40 million poppies that people wear to commemorate those who have served in the armed forces. The celebrations are split into two days. The first is Remembrance Day, which takes place on the second Sunday of November each year. It is a day to recognize those who have lost their lives protecting the U.K. It's basically the U.K. version of Memorial Day. The U.K. also celebrates Armistice Day on Nov. 11 with a two-minute moment of silence observed at the 11th hour throughout the country.

Accordingly, Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, as it is called in some places, is observed throughout many of the 52 other member countries of the Commonwealth, a political association of mostly former territories of the British Empire. These include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka, just to name a few.  Like the U.K., these countries also incorporate the poppy into their celebrations.  Some of you may have followed Prince Harry's and Meghan's journey to Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand to help observe this event.

France also celebrates Armistice Day on Nov. 11.  In 2014 President Francois Hollande opened the new international memorial of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette in Ablain Saint Nazaire northwest of Arras called the "Ring of Remembrance," which is a huge, bronzed stainless steel, elliptical monument that includes the names of the nearly 580,000 men who died in northern France during World War I.

The Belgians also host one of the biggest Armistice Day ceremonies. Every year since 1928, the country has put on the Last Post Ceremony. The Last Post is the name of a bugle call played in the British Army and other armies to mark the end of the day. Now it is used to remember fallen soldiers. The Last Post Ceremony takes place at Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, and it also includes a release of red poppies from the roof of Menin Gate.


 I am also sharing Day 11 with Art Every Day Month (AEDM) and honoring all those who have served our country.







I am delighted you chose to spend a few minutes in remembrance with me today.  Thank you beyond belief.

20 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

It is so important not to forget what happened and all those lives that were lost. Valerie

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

History we must never forget and the importance of woman who kept everything going whilst Father's and Son's went to war. Wishing you peace Elizabeth.
Hugs Tracey xx

johanna said...

normally this poppies symbol is more around in the english speaking countries, but this year there is also a big art project in munich remembering the anniversary. (https://www.niemalswieder.com/english-version/) i will be in munich on thursday and hopefully see the remains of the installation.
great post, Elizabeth - and so important!

Meggymay said...

A moving post Elizabeth, today is a day to Remember and pay tribute to those brave man and women who gave their lives.
Yvonne xx

RO said...

I always love when someone takes the time to share memories of what started this day, and what many veterans suffered so that we have our freedom. You've shared some fascinating knowledge of the past. My heart goes out to those who still struggle to get benefits they deserve. It's 2018 and Walmart still doesn't offer military recognition or discounts. Sending some HUGE Hugs and Thanks your way! RO

Helen said...


A fitting tribute.

To answer your questions
yes, they are the same poppies from the Tower, the two main features. Weeping Window and the Wave, went on tour. the poppies they sold were the "loose" ones from the moat.
the pics you questioned (I know I've shared them many times before, but maybe didn't explain them) they are all office buildings.
72- can't remember what this is known as. sorry! tried googling but for now can't find it!
73 - City Hall. offices of the London Mayor and the London Assembly (government departments)
75 - known as the Walkie Talkie as when you view it in full that's what people think it looks like There is a Sky Garden on top that you have to book to visit weeks in advance.... so I haven't got round to that


the urns at Kew - the urns I share ARE the ones from the Palm House pond...only one row of urns

the Tower installation. All could view the torches for free, you could also apply for tickets to view down in the moat when they light them at night. I just got to go inside the Tower for free for a "side view" if you like!

hope this helps!

Helen said...

oh, and the numbers of the fallen were only London figures not the whole country. should have made it clear

froebelsternchen said...

What a fantastic posting to honor and pay tribute Elizabeth!

sheila 77 said...

Thanks for this "history lesson" Elizabeth (you know I always enjoy your "lessons", much more interesting than the history/geography ones we got at school). It was very appropriate to read this today, the 11th, which is a very special day of Remembrance here.

Sami said...

A beautifully written post Elizabeth.
It's so important to pay tribute to those who fought in the various wars.
Sadly even after such great losses wars keep on being fought all over the globe.

Cath Wilson said...

Lovely, informative post, Elisabeth. I (obviously) know about the UK traditions and some of the French, as our nearest neighbours and having lived there a while, but didn't know much about anyone else's. Thank you for that.

We do indeed honour those who gave their lives that we might live in freedom.

Cath x

My name is Erika. said...

Nice perspective on the war and the day. I really still have not heard anything about it here-other than blogs, so I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs-Erika

Mia said...

We should never forget.
Great post, Elizabeth.
There is Veteran's Day in Greece.
Kisses, my friend.

CJ Kennedy said...

I'ts important to remember the history, but we don't seem to learn from it. My mother's father served during the Great War.I never got to meet him as he passed long before I came along. He was newly arrived in this country. I don't know what his reasoning was, but I think he saw it as a way of becoming a citizen and to be an American. He was proud to be an American.

Divers and Sundry said...

"The war to end all wars." And yet we've developed a standing military with stations all over the world and have been in a state of constant way for decades. It hurts :(

Lowcarb team member said...

A most fitting post.
It is important that we do not forget what happened and all those lives that were lost, we will remember them.

All the best Jan

aussie aNNie said...

Memorable post. My dad was in WW11 and after mum died I cared for him in my home for several years until he passed in my arms at almost 103. He was in the Polish/British army so a real legend to me.xx

Jeanie said...

What a beautifully written, well researched post. It's at times like this I wish I lived in the UK or elsewhere in Europe where they dive these ceremonies and this day its due.

Hard to believe -- 100 years ago it was the war to end all wars, yet its consequences were responsible in part for the next one. Will it ever end?

Caty said...


Your tribute to the veterans of WW1 is touching Elizabeth! I always say that wars do not end conflicts, but annihilate many lives and destroy thousands of homes. In this specific war about 23 million people died! (13 million soldiers and 20 million civilians) So you're absolutely right, we have to remember what happened, remember and never forget it.
I wish you a very nice afternoon dear friend, and I send you big hugs, Caty

chrissie said...

An interesting and thoughtful post Elizabeth.

Love Chrissie xx