The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Veterans Day will probably be over by the time you read this, but it’s on my mind, so I’m going to talk about it anyway.

My grandfather was in the military during World War I. He was in Europe, though I don’t think he saw combat. But I can remember him talking about how horrible that war was and the devastating affect it had on many of the young people of his generation who survived the war.

It was supposed to be “The War to End All Wars.” It didn’t work out that way, but in the years immediately thereafter, there was a clear sense of gratitude among Americans for the sacrifices made by those who fought and those who died in that war.

Hostilities in World War I ended when armistice was declared on November 11, 1918. In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. He said:

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

In June 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a resolution on June 4, 1926, which included these words:

“Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

“Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations…”

American service men and women have fought bravely many more times in the last 97 years, and many gave their lives.

Setting aside one day a year to honor them all is not enough. But it’s an important part of our duty to say Thank You to those brave Americans.