What it means to be a Veteran

Veterans Day is an opportunity to look at the men and women in our country and think of what they have done for their fellow Americans.

Some of our Veterans flew choppers in Nam, some spent months on a ship or frozen hill in the Korean War. Some were engineers in Iraq others may have been on long tedious duty during the cold war. Still others stormed the beaches at Normandy, trekked across North Africa, fought on the islands of the South Pacific, or convoyed ammunition and supplies to American forces surging across Europe during WWII.

Some served for just a few years while others served for decades or made it their lifes work. Some veterans saw action, while others stood ready. Whether by land, air or sea, Americans have protected the national interests of our country.

Some veterans have stories they like to tell while others choose to reflect quietly on their service without fan fare or acknowlagement, Veterans Day is a day for every American to think about the colossal sacrifice of every American in uniform then and now. They have done so much for our nation, for us, and for our children. Their mere willingness to serve is a strength of our nation that deters our enemies, but they did so much more.

Remember this is what some of our young men and women in uniform overseas are doing today: courageous and extremely modest, these Americans are on critical missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world. They are away from their homes and families, risking life and limb. They are the veterans of tomorrow.

Veterans Day Links

History of Veterans Day

Old Blue Jacket

Audie Murphy

Faces of Valor

At Smilin' Jake's we say thank you to all of our veterans

past, present and future.

Mahalo

Jack & Linda

Smilin' Jake's

In This Issue

Veterans Day Links

Featured Article

When Did Veterans Day Begin?

Veterans Day started as Armistice Day, November 11, 1918. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the palace of Versailles in Versailles, France, ending World War I.

Seven months previously, an armistice went into effect for the temporary cessation of hostilities between Germany and the Allied nations. Fighting stopped on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. This day was considered as the end of "the war to end all wars.

Change to Veterans Day

Armistice Day was celebrated for a period of time,however after World War II and the Korean conflict, Congress amended the Act of 1938 by replacing the word "Armistice" with the word "Veterans."

President Eisenhower signed the bill in 1954. November 11th became a day to honor the veterans of all wars.

Save 20%	If you are a veteran or active duty military show us your ID when checking out and receive your discount