Veterans Day - Postcard Friendship Friday #89

I love this postcard.  It reminds me of how much our boys must miss home and family as they serve overseas.   Dad often spoke of how much he missed his family and country the years he fought in World War Two.
 
The history of Veteran's Day in America is an interesting one.  After World War One, on November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first Commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "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…"

This holiday was celebrated with a day off with parades and honoring our war-torn warriors.

In 1968, a law was signed in order to insure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first official Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law returning the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978.

On this day in America, we honor our veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  So many of my family have served in the military--some continue to this day.  I thank each of them for their service and sacrifice.  I am grateful to every man and woman who have stood--and continue to stand--in the gap for freedom, country, family and home.

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox.

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