Tomorrow is Veterans Day….No, not today.
Most people assume that Veterans Day is on a Monday making one of those extra long week-ends.
Near the gates of Leavenworth National Cemetery
Not so! Veterans Day is always on the 11th of November.
The signing of the agreement that ended World War I was on November 11, 1918 and was originally called Armistice Day.
In 1954, the Federal holiday had a name change to Veterans Day.
Veterans Day became a day to honor all the men and women who have served in the armed forces and each year there are special ceremonies held at the 131 (government maintained) of the 147 National Cemeteries scattered across our country, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Our family has many veterans, mostly Navy…but Army, Air Force and the Marines are represented as well.
Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth , Kansas Oct 2014
Last month, my son (a Navy veteran) and I visited Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas.
This cemetery contains burials that resulted from the infamous Quantrill’s raid and massacre that took place in nearby Lawrence, Kansas on Aug. 21, 1863.
The oldest known burials at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery date back to 1844-1846 ….right up to the current date.
Rolling hills of Leavenworth National Cemetery
It was a dreary day, light rain was falling as we drove slowly through this hallowed ground.
So, so so many of the white tombstones dotting the rolling hills, jutting out a midst the green grass and the foliage of autumn leaves.
We stopped the car and walked a short distance to tenderly touch the top of one of the marble headstones.
I couldn’t stop the tears rolling down my cheeks as we gazed out at the all too familiar “tent” of a newly dug grave.
We spoke in whispers, as we speculated on the sacrifices of all the families left behind…as well as the returning injured veterans and the challenges many of them face once they come home.
So tomorrow….or actually, anytime you see one of our veterans … or if any of your family or friends are veterans, please be sure to remember them on Veterans Day.
Call them up….shake their hand…send them an email….acknowledge them where ever you see them.
And thank them for preserving our freedom.
And always pray for all of them, and for our country and our military leaders.
Below are a few organizations who are there to assist our Veterans and their families.
If you…my dear readers, are able to help in any way….please do so.
God Bless America!
Me
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THE NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION
Honoring our warriors. Supporting their families….
http://www.navysealfoundation.org/
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ARMED SERVICES YMCA
Making military life easier….
http://www.asymca.org/
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OPERATION HOMEFRONT
Supporting our troops and helping the families they leave behind.
http://www.operationhomefront.net/
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FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION
https://www.foldsofhonor.org/
Through scholarships and other assistance, we give back to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country.
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Thanks for stopping by Sandy….if you haven’t visited Leavenworth National Cemetery…I would like to suggest you do! I felt like I was at Arlington National Cemetery…very somber.
Me
Beautiful, heartwarming post, Kari.