Your turn: Take a moment this Veterans Day to learn about the real heroes of the US
One hundred and three years ago, America, for the first time honored the veterans of WW I. Germany had surrendered, with all nations agreeing to cease fighting, the 11th hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month, 1918.
Seven months later, June 28, 1919, Germany and the Allied Nations (Britain, France, Italy and Russia), reached agreement, signing the Treaty of Versailles, ending the war.
From Springfield, Illinois, 1919, Gov. Frank O. Lowden, proclaimed:
“On Nov. 11 last, the armistice was signed. The mighty hosts laid down their arms. The world rejoiced. Our soldiers had won renown upon a score of battlefields. They had shown that, though the great republic loved peace, it also had the courage to face any foe. Many of them now lie in foreign graves; for them, our tears, for those who have returned, our pride and gratitude. The American armies were potent in war. The returning veterans will be equally powerful in helping to meet the problems of peace. How can we better celebrate the anniversary of the armistice than by turning our thoughts to these veterans?
"We cannot contemplate that great body without re-calling the principles for which they fought. We cannot honor them without paying a silent tribute to their brave comrades who sleep on foreign soil. We cannot view them without emphasizing the virile Americanism of which they are the highest type. We behold in them our surest guaranty against all forms of despotism, whether the despotism of the crowned despot or the despotism of the mob. We can face thefuture with a serener courage because of their presence in our midst. Appomattox Day is a great day in our calendar. Let Armistice Day, under whatever name, become another.”
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Governor Lowden’s last sentence was prophetic. 1954, and six presidents later, Nov. 11, became Veterans Day, as President Eisenhower signed legislation, with intentions being, those of inclusion, honoring veterans of all America's wars, beginning with the American Revolution, right up to the, newly signed “Armistice,” on June 27, 1953, halting the military action of the War in Korea.
The “Holiday Act” written in 1968, moved the honoring of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October, setting the change to begin in 1971. The four years from 1971 to 1975 generated so much grief and anger, President Ford, in 1975, signed legislation restoring Veterans Day to Nov. 11.
I agree with President Eisenhower’s thoughts of inclusion, dating back to the American Revolution. My third great grandfather became the first “veteran” in our family, beginning what would be generations of family members following in his footsteps.
Having been accepted into militarily-based organizations, despite not being a veteran, I have been privileged to hear, the real life combat experiences of veterans from many wars. The veterans telling these stories speak with humilityand love as they remember the “the real heroes,” the many Americans, they had fought along-side, who do sleep on foreign soils.
I weep for all of them, as well as my two uncles, Earl Graham and Johnny Graham, who do sleep on foreign soils.
Many of the stories I have been privileged to hear, have been professionally and lovingly recorded for posterity by a group of dedicated teachers and students at Harlem High School. Veterans, or their family members, share their stories with members of the Harlem Veteran Project, who then post these incredibly intimate biographical documentaries on the website, “Illinois Veterans & Community Classroom Project.”
Honor our veterans. Take the time to go to the website, watch and listen, as the human costs of war are told.
George B Graham Jr. is an author, lifetime associate member of the Korean War Veterans Association, member of the Macon County Historical Society, Macon, Missouri, and member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Your turn: Take a moment this Veterans Day to learn about the real heroes of the US
