Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Veterans Day - Lest we forget

A thank you to all soldiers for your service and your sacrifice -- whether it be behind a desk or a rifle -- you will be always remembered for what you have done so that we may enjoy our freedom.

War Veterans
The 11th Hour: The Date Behind Veterans Day

by Claudine Zap

While most know that Veterans Day honors those who have served in the military, the meaning behind its exact date (November 11) may not be so familiar. Here's the backstory:

Back in 1918, in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a stop to hostilities was declared, ending World War I. An armistice to cease the fighting on the Western Front was signed by the Allied powers and Germany.

President Woodrow Wilson immediately proclaimed the day "Armistice Day," kicking off the annual commemoration on November 11. But over the years, with veterans returning from World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day — a day reserved to honor veterans returning from all wars. But 11/11 still represented the end of the Great War in the public's mind, and the date stuck.

In 1921, unidentified dead from the war were buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., Westminster Abbey in London, and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The tradition to honor those killed in the war but never identified continues every year in the U.S. The ceremony is held at 11 a.m. at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Congress designated Veterans Day as a legal holiday in 1938, and since then, most Americans have come to know it as a day for store sales and parades. Yahoo! Searches on the holiday have already surged on the Web. People want to know "veterans day history," "veterans day closings," veterans day sales," and "veterans day free meals."

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Unknown said...

Hello,

You may recall me contacting you a few weeks ago surrounding the Path to a Cure climb, in which, Dr. Robert Frantz, Director of the Mayo Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic , Dr. Ray Benza and Jessica Lazar, Allegheny General Hospital, plan to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa, to raise awareness about Pulmonary Hypertension.

Along with better understanding their patients’ daily struggles, Dr. Benza, Dr. Frantz and Jessica hope to raise $100,000 to help support research and patient programs for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA).

During the climb, which will span from February 19 –February 26, the doctors will be available for satellite phone interviews throughout their hike. We would love for you to speak with the climbers during this exciting time.

I will be in touch to see if you are interested in learning more about the Path to a Cure or if you would like to speak with any of the climbers. In the meantime, please do not hesitate in contacting me.

Thanks and Best,
Jackie Welch

415-262-5980