President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day – which later became Veteran’s 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…"
The Soldiers Cross In the Army and other branches of the U.S. military, most units prepare a visible reminder of the deceased soldier with a display of a pair of combat boots and an inverted rifle with the soldier’s helmet and dog tags hanging on it. Army lore indicates the helmet and identification tags signify the fallen soldier. The inverted rifle with bayonet signals a time for prayer and a break in the action to pay tribute to the dead. The combat boots represent the final march of the last battle.
I hope everyone takes time today to honor and pray for our veterans, soldiers, sailers, airmen, marines, DOD civilians, and their families who make unthinkable sacrifices for our freedom.
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