Cambria is home to many U.S. veterans. Today is a day set aside especially to honor those among us who have served our country. My genuine thanks to all our Veterans for their dedication to our country and its ideals.

As a civilian all my life and teacher from a non-military family (since the Civil War anyway), today seem a good opportunity to broaden my knowledge about this holiday and its importance. Below  a brief note about the holiday is a proclamation by President Obama declaring November 11, 2009 Veterans Day.

Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Both holidays were established to recognize and honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. But Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday in May, was originally set aside as a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.
While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, which is observed on November 11, Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living Veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

We have a sacred trust with those who wear the uniform of the United States of America. From the Minutemen who stood watch over Lexington and Concord to the service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, American veterans deserve our deepest appreciation and respect. Our Nation’s servicemen and women are our best and brightest, enlisting in times of peace and war, serving with honor under the most difficult circumstances, and making sacrifices that many of us cannot begin to imagine. Today, we reflect upon the invaluable contributions of our country’s veterans and reaffirm our commitment to provide them and their families with the essential support they were promised and have earned.
Caring for our veterans is more than a way of thanking them for their service. It is an obligation to our fellow citizens who have risked their lives to defend our freedom. This selflessness binds our fates with theirs, and recognizing those who were willing to give their last full measure of devotion for us is a debt of honor for every American.
We also pay tribute to all who have worn the uniform and continue to serve their country as civilians. Many veterans act as coaches, teachers, and mentors in their communities,selflessly volunteering their time and expertise. They visits schools to tell our Nation’s students of their experiences and help counsel our troops returning from the theater of war.These men and women possess an unwavering belief in the idea of America: no matter where you come from, what you look like, or who your parents are, this is a place where anything is possible. Our veterans continue to stand up for those timeless American ideals of liberty, self-determination, and equal opportunity.
On Veterans Day, we honor the heroes we have lost, and we rededicate ourselves to the next generation of veterans by supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen as they return home from duty. Our grateful Nation must keep our solemn promises to these brave men and women and their families. They have given their unwavering devotion to the American people, and we must keep our covenant with them.With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our servicemen and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided(5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall beset aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation’s veterans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of theUnited States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11,2009, as Veterans Day. I encourage all Americans to recognizethe valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriatepublic ceremonies and private prayers. I call upon Federal,State, and local officials to display the flag of theUnited States and to participate in patriotic activities intheir communities. I call on all Americans, including civicand fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, andcommunities to support this day with commemorative expressionsand programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand thisthirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lordtwo thousand nine, and of the Independence of theUnited States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Last 5 posts by Amanda Rice

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