The 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month....

[exedir]

We are not yet at one hundred years since August, 1914, the beginning of World War I. We are going to commemorate yet another day when that war ended on November 11, 1918, the 11th day, at the 11th hour, and the start of the Armistice between Imperial Germany and the allies.

Of course, this day, the 11th of November, has been expended to included veterans, our veterans of all wars and those that have served in the military of this country, honorably and with distinction.

We do not celebrate what a military does and what war does. What is intended is to commemorate what those that serve do to protect the people and defend the country from aggression, threats and violence brought to us from others, others who would do us harm and seek to take, or repress our liberties, freedoms and rights we have achieve over many hard, and difficult years and take the property and wealth we have created and enjoy, and our opportunities to live and work as a nation, and a people.

This day, notes the sacrifice that has been made by those that serve and have served this country and people. We have another day dedicated specifically to those that died in the service, Memorial Day. But today, we note that service is not only means sacrifice, but a duty and an honor with hardships, difficulties and always, danger. Many, if not most, probably won't really consider the cause of the day's commemoration.

And we should not take an upset because of it, the way people live and have their holidays. In part that is why those for whom this day is dedicated to what they did, to keep for others those freedoms to enjoy this day and all the others that have been brought and provided by what veterans have done in the past, now, and in the future.

[Mandy Muffin]

So much of the the talk today is about entitlements, material things the nation owes it's citizens as a matter of course.  I am not opposed to everyone having a lovely life, free of trepidation from want of the necessities.  However, little talk seems to be about the obligations.  We didn't get this, so called, freedom just by chance.  It came at a great sacrifice.  Some of the causes were noble and other of dubious wisdom.  But it was up to history to sort them out after the war was waged.  In the meantime, some were called to duty (obligation) and most served.  I did my duty when called and many others did too.  We didn't run to Canada or have Daddy use his clout to secure a deferment.  Are we greater citizens?  No, but we met our obligation and of that fact we can be proud. It will be a sad day when the veterans of our military are no longer recognized.