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Sunday, November 11, 2018

Remembering Veterans

Today, November 11, is Veterans Day in the U.S. but the date is celebrated tomorrow, Monday, that's because it falls on a Sunday. This year's observance is significant in that it's the Centennial Commemoration marking 100 years since the end of World War i on November 11, 1918.
Courtesy U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The theme for the 2018 Veterans Day Poster is “The War to End All Wars” and it depicts the familiar remembrance poppy and a barbed wire fence. The poppy was inspired by the World War I poem “In Flanders Fields” and has been used since 1921 to commemorate military personnel who have died in war. The barbed wire represents thousands of miles of wire that spread by both sides in WW I.

Grenville is a U.S. Navy veteran. As part of the holiday observance later today, we'll join others in Nashua, NH to view a parade downtown along Main St. It's typical of many local parades with honor guards, marching veterans, school groups, high school bands, and, of course, local politicians. In the years we've been going to the parade, the parade viewers have steadily increased.

Across the border, Canada will observe November 11 as Remembrance Day which honors veterans who have died in service to their country. This observance is similar to the U.S. Memorial Day holiday celebrated in May. 

Also in our thoughts are those killed or injured in recent mass shootings in Pennsylvania and California as well as their grieving family members. Also, those who have lost family, homes, and communities from the destructive fires in California.

12 comments:

diane b said...

Yes the war to end all wars but sadly it didn't. We have Remembrance Day too like the Canadians. We don't have a holiday though.

Anvilcloud said...

The weather was so brutal last night that I decided not to go to the honour guard at the cenotaph. It is cold here today but not so windy so I may get out for some of the ceremonies.

MadSnapper said...

I am glad you said that about the others parts of the world using it to remember both living and deceased. I saw several blogs and wondered about that since USA makes to holidays out of it.. I agree with your last words, all of the mass murders and fires and storms and floods, devestation everywhere.

DUTA said...

I like the poppy flower as a symbol of Remembrance; the red color representing the blood of the soldiers on the battlefield.

Emma Springfield said...

I wish it had been the war to end all wars. So many have died in the wars and not much has been resolved.

Connie said...

I'm grateful for all those who have served and continue to serve our country.

So much turmoil in the world these days. My thoughts are with those devastated by fires and by yet another mass shooting in California.

Linda said...

Nice big flag!

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

So much to remember and I'm glad you included the poor Carolinian's and that devastating fire. Incredible.

William Kendall said...

Veterans and active servicemen and women from the branches march in the national service here, before and afterwards. A lot of people come out, and applaud them as they pass.

DeniseinVA said...

A lovely post for this very special Remembrance Dorothy. A wonderful sight that large flag on the side of the building and the Veteran's Day poster is poignant. I remember Remembrance Day very well when I grew up in England. The poppies were prominent in our house, as in many others and I still display my old poppies every year.

Dreadful and very sad also about Pennsylvania and California. My heart goes out to everyone involved. The firefighters and other first responders will always have my never ending gratitude.

L. D. said...

I had wonderted if Grenville had been in the service. Thank you sir for your service. The parade you mentioned in this blog was a great one.

baili said...

Great nations never forget people who served their land and saved life of many by sacrificing their own.

heard in news about california shooting and this made me so sad ,praying for those who suffered with madness of an individual
blessings!