The Significance of Veteran’s Day

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the Armistice (truce) was signed by the Allies and Germany, thus halting the slaughter of the “Great War” or World War I. The official end of the war was declared at the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919. World War I demolished parts of Europe and inflicted massive casualties, yet some predicted that it would be the war to end all wars.

Lingering grievances from this war would partially fuel a more devastating World War II, but for now, peace was at hand. Participating nations began to pick up the pieces and honor those who had fought to strengthen liberty and stability.

Armistice Day (Remembrance Day to some U.S. allies) became an official holiday in 1938 through an act of Congress, which President Franklin Roosevelt endorsed. Following World War II and the Korean War, veterans fought to enlarge the significance of Armistice Day to include all veterans who had made sacrifices while serving their country.

President Dwight Eisenhower and Congress authorized changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day on Nov. 11, 1954, to honor veterans of all the conflicts the United States had entered. Consequently, Veterans Day is more encompassing than Memorial Day, which primarily honors our fallen warriors.

“On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores to preserve our heritage of freedom and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of protecting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain,” Eisenhower said.

During the Revolutionary War against England, principled colonists signed on to the noble mission of independence and their God-given right to human freedom. From 1861 to 1865, Confederate and Union soldiers fought furiously in an epic Civil War. A Union victory forged greater equality for emancipated slaves and helped in the restoration of a fractured nation.

Countless soldiers fought under brutal conditions in World War I and lost their lives in the trenches of Flanders Fields. In World War II, millions of allies engaged the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) across North Africa, Europe, and the Pacific Ocean, and finally prevailed against their atrocities. During Korea’s “forgotten war,” allied forces battled the communists in the bitter cold at historic landmarks such as Chosin Reservoir and Heartbreak Ridge.

Regardless of our convictions regarding the Vietnam War, our troops struggled to keep South Vietnam free from totalitarian rule. Moreover, we ought to honor the valor of Brig. Gen. Bud Day, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Vice Adm. James Stockdale, and other prisoners of war who endured years of torture in the hellish Hoa Lo Prison, known as Hanoi Hilton, yet emerged with their honor intact.

Our military forces also fought the al-Qaeda terrorist group, the ISIS terrorist group, and the Taliban for several years in Afghanistan and Iraq. Currently, some of our air crews, sailors, and soldiers are stationed in the Middle East to help deter a wider conflagration initiated by Iran’s proxies.

Today, Veterans Day is a special day to commemorate all living and deceased veterans who heeded the call of duty and honorably served this great nation. This includes veterans missing in action, our wounded warriors, prisoners of war, and millions of living veterans who have served during peacetime or military conflicts.

“Elections, like presidents, come and go,“ President Ronald Reagan said on Veterans Day 1985. ”And always, our nation remains—due primarily to the courage and sacrifice of America’s veterans who exemplify and defend the ideals that the United States stands for.”

When recruits enter any branch of the armed forces, they are aware that future missions could thrust them into harm’s way. Yet they are willing to fight and die for the cause of human liberty. Who are these men and women? They are motivated yet ordinary individuals who, along with their families, make great sacrifices and endure extraordinary challenges. What higher commitment is there than to place one’s life on the line for humanity?

Our veterans are stationed around the globe providing disaster relief, battling terrorism, deterring aggressors, reassuring our allies, and striving to improve security in volatile regions. On this day and every day, let us be thankful for their service and pray for their safety and return home.

We should also pray that the armed forces’ mental, meritocratic, and physical standards are restored at the Pentagon to boost military capabilities and readiness. Moreover, service personnel should get the platforms and training necessary for mission success. Those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and our wounded warriors should receive the best help possible.

Our veterans understand that freedom is an ideal worth defending because there will always be tyrants who strive to subvert liberty, progress, and global security. By honoring our veterans, we demonstrate gratitude for their devotion to human dignity and freedom. Through their selfless service, we might better understand responsible liberty and be inspired to live with a higher purpose to build a more perfect union.

It’s pronounced Core, not Corpse, like America-hater Obama said in a speech.

Source

January 20, 2025 – Make America Great Again

This is when it begins. It will take a long time to undo the damage of the last 4 years. It will take years to fight the deep state. The majority voted in the man

When America does well, the world does well.

The good fortune of America is closely tied to the good fortune of all humanity.

Marquis de Lafayette

Nothing hurts so much the interest and reputation of America as to hear of their intestine quarrels.

Marquis de Lafayette

”True republicanism is the sovereignty of the people. There are natural and imprescriptible rights which an entire nation has no right to violate.”

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Happy Veterans Day – Honor Those Who Served

Thank one for their service every day.

#D-Day 70 Years Later, The War That Had To Be Won Before Operation #Overloard

I’ve written about D-day before here and here, but I’ve recently found research about the planning and the pre-landing war at 25,000 feet. One of the issues that the strategists had to deal with was the mighty Luftwaffe. Almost a year before the landing in Normandy, Operation Overlord or D-Day would have been much different if air cover had been used against the Allied landing force. They had to find a way to get rid of German air superiority before the landing or it would be unsuccessful.

In the month after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US Army’s Eight Air Force was established in Savannah, Georgia. Less than a year later, it is tasked with defeating the most powerful air force in the world, the German Luftwaffe. By the end of the War in Europe, there were thousands of B-17’s and fighters produced. Unfortunately, the early fighters couldn’t match the bomber range so they flew without cover both to and from the target until the fighters could find and protect what was left of the Bomber squadron. It was thought that with 17 machine guns protecting each plane, they would be self defending against the Messerschmitt’s. Unfortunately, it was a turkey shoot for the Germans. Almost 75% of the airmen would fail to complete the 25 missions which would complete their duty in the European theater. (Authors note: I have the greatest respect for the contribution and sacrifice of the other countries who participated. Their efforts can be found by other authors and should be read and celebrated for what they did).

Much of this was proved on Big Week which ended on February 25, 1944 when more than 2,000 American airmen failed to return from their mission. The U.S. fighters were not able to engage the German fighters deep over Europe until the advent of the P-51 Mustang which was faster, better armed and had the range to protect the B-17’s the entire mission. It was discovered that the Mustangs could win the battle against the German fighters, but they had to beat the deadline of D-Day to stop the Luftwaffe.

It has been written in documentaries that with the knowledge that the German’s would come after the B-17’s (the Germans used radar) and that the P-51’s would win, they used the bombers as bait to knock out the enemy’s air power. This was a certain death sentence for the crews of the bomber squadrons, but knowing that the landing at Normandy and the entire Operation Overlord would fail unless this was accomplished sealed the fate for the Eighth. Nevermore was this apparent when the Eight was ordered to bomb Berlin on March 6, 1944. This was the center of German government and the most heavily fortified city against air attack with an estimated 70% of the Luftwaffe fighters and 750 anti-aircraft weapons were placed. Although ten’s of thousands of pounds of bombs were dropped, 69 bombers were lost. The goal of reducing the Luftwaffe was accomplished as more than 179 German Fighters were destroyed. The difference was that American planes and pilots could be replaced, the Germans couldn’t produce any more and these were their best pilots.

Two more raids were then ordered on Berlin, some say to draw out the fighters so they could be eliminated. It was the beginning of the end of the Luftwaffe. This strategy ensured the goal of Allied air superiority over Normandy, but at a very high cost.

By the end of the war, the 8th Air Force would suffer 26000 combat deaths. This was more than the Marines suffered in all of World War II.

We honor the soldiers who gave their all, many with the ultimate sacrifice to secure freedom in Europe and likely for the world. We know from history the amphibious landing and the issues and outcome. It all came at great cost and reminds us that freedom is never free. It always comes at some cost. For the year prior to the landing at Normandy, there was a great cost at 25,000 feet.

For more on D-Day at 70, you can read about it here.

Memorial Day 2014 – Freedom Is Not Free…..Ever

We remember those who served for our country, sometimes fighting for the freedom of other countries. Most of all, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Never forget, Freedom is not Free.

1. Why we observe Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance of those who have died serving our country.

2. It started with the Civil War

Memorial Day was a response to the unprecedented carnage of the Civil War, in which some 620,000 soldiers on both sides died.

3. It was first known as Decoration Day

From the practice of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, the holiday was long known as Decoration Day. The name Memorial Day goes back to 1882, but the older name didn’t disappear until after World War II. Federal law declared “Memorial Day” the official name in 1967.

4. The playing of ‘Taps’

The 24-note bugle call, is played at all military funerals and memorial services.

5. Flying the Flag

It is customary on Memorial Day to fly the flag at half staff until noon, and then raise it to the top of the staff until sunset.

6. Flowers and Flags

These are the two most popular items people use to remember soldiers.

7. The last Monday of May

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May.

America’s Top 10 Deadliest Wars.

From Blackfive: The Gates of Heaven

What is Memorial Day really about? While we are busy gearing up for the weekend, I thought I should post this annual reminder about the holiday. It may surprise some of you.

If you are relatively new to Blackfive, you should read this story about a Memorial Day eleven years ago – Mathew Schram’s Memorial Day. And, unfortunately, we’ve posted many memorials to our Fallen Americans.

The words to “Taps” are:

Day Is Done,
Gone the Sun,
From the Earth,
From the Hill,
From the Sky,
All Is Well,
Safely Rest,
God Is Nigh

When Taps is played at dusk, it has a completely different meaning than when Taps is played during the day. No soldier really wants to hear it played during daylight. For when the bugle plays Taps in the daylight…that means a soldier has fallen…There is a belief among some that Taps is the clarion call to open the gates of heaven for the fallen warrior and letting them know to “Safely Rest”…

Of course, Memorial Day is about remembering the sacrifices that our military men and women have made over the last 237 years. We are still a young nation, but one that has made many sacrifices to remain free. We should also take time to remember the families who have lost loved ones.

We have focused on just a few of the fallen over the last few years. I’ve lost good friends during the War on Terror. And I write about the others to ensure that we don’t forget their sacrifices – I do that for me as much as for anybody.

Click on the link to read the entire blog post.

Top 11 Memorial Day Museums

AOMDA Honors War Vets Buried Overseas

There will be many Memorial Day observances here in the U.S. this weekend, but loved ones of service members buried abroad can rest assured their veterans will not be forgotten.

The American Overseas Memorial Day Association (AOMDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the memory of those who gave their lives in World Wars I and II, whose final resting places are in American military cemeteries or separate graves all over Europe and even Africa…….

Read more at this link

Memorial Day 2014

Memorial Day, the day to honor those who gave their lives for the freedom we all enjoy. We must protect our country so they did not die in vain.

While he was not an American, he was a great leader that sums it up…

You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life. —Winston Churchill

Memorial Day 2013 Round Up of Patriotic Posts #MemorialDay2013

Remembering that Freedom is never Free.

Thank You Memorial Day Hero’s!

Memorial Day 2013

May we be worthy of their sacrifice.

“If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.”

Major Michael Davis O’Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam

Have A Good Memorial Day Infidels

When I’m Gone – TOP THREAD

The Last Full Measure – Wilmington Cemetary

And I Won’t Forget The Men Who Died

Memorial Day Tribute – Video

In Honor of Memorial Day: War and Battle, the Great Quotations

Memorial Day 2013: Honor the Fallen

Memorial Day, an Honest Man vs. a Liar

Silence on this Day

The Debt We Owe Our Servicemen and Women