Veterans Day

Why do we observe November 11 as Veterans Day?  Here's a brief history behind the establishment of Veterans Day and why we observe it on that day.

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice (a temporary cessation of hostilities) began between the Allied forces and Germany, thus effectually ending World War 1.  In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson called for the first observance of Armistice Day on November 11, 1919.  This Armistice Day was to be a day of parades, public meetings and suspension of business beginning at 11am on that date.

On May 13, 1938 Act 52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a was approved and made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday known as Armistice Day, a day set aside to honor veterans of World War 1.

After World War 2 and our nation’s involvement in the Korean War, veteran’s service organizations urged Congress to change the 1938 Act and change Armistice Day to Veterans Day.  On June 1, 1954, Public Law 389 was approved and made November 11th Veterans Day – a day to honor American veterans of all wars. 

The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971 temporarily moved Veterans Day to the 4th Monday of October, a move that was not very popular!  President Gerald Ford signed Public Law 94-97 on September 20th, 1975 which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day back to the November 11th date beginning in 1978.

According to the VA, “Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

The History of Memorial Day - Part 3

The symbol of Memorial Day has come to be the red poppy.  This vibrant flower came to symbolize the sacrifice of those that gave their lives for our country on the battlefield.  Other nations such as England, New Zealand and Australia also use the red poppy for their Memorial Day observances.

The history of this Memorial Day symbol began during World War 1.  A Canadian physician, John McCrae, serving in Belgium during WW1 observed that red poppies were growing around the graves of fallen soldiers.  A few days earlier McCrae had to bury a close friend of his that was killed in action.  Upon viewing the poppies growing among the graves, McCrae was deeply moved and wrote the poem, “In Flanders Field.”  It was written on May 3, 1915.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

In November of 1918, American educator and YMCA volunteer Moina Bell Michael happened to read “In Flanders Field” as it was published in a magazine.  After reading the poem she felt something must be done to not “break faith” with those that had sacrificed their lives for our nation.  She wrote a poem in response to “In Flanders Field” and began a campaign to make the red poppy the national symbol of Memorial Day.  Here is her poem, “We Shall Keep the Faith.”

Oh! You who sleep in “Flanders Fields,”

Sleep sweet—to rise anew!

We caught the Torch you threw

And, holding high, we keep the Faith

With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led;

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies,

But lends a lustre to the red

Of the flower that blooms above the dead

In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red

We wear in honor of our dead.

Fear not that ye have died for naught;

We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought

In Flanders Fields.

Moina Bell Michael worked tirelessly for two years to make the red poppy the national symbol for Memorial Day.  Her efforts culminated in 1920 when the American Legion voted in approval of the red poppies symbolism of the ultimate sacrifice.  And, working with Congress, the American Legion worked to have the Friday before Memorial Day designated as “National Poppy Day.”  

I wasn’t aware of why the red poppy became the symbol of Memorial Day until I did some research.  Now that I’ve discovered its history, I’ll be wearing a red poppy this Memorial Day in honor of those that gave their lives for our nation. For as the poem states, “And now the…Poppy Red, we wear in honor of our dead.”

The History of Memorial Day - Part 2

Memorial Day was original observed as Decoration Day.  Here is a poignant and moving poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow entitled, "Decoration Day."  It was first published in the Atlantic magazine in June 1882.

Sleep, comrades, sleep and rest

On this Field of the Grounded Arms,

Where foes no more molest,

Nor sentry’s shot alarms!

Ye have slept on the ground before,

And started to your feet

At the cannon’s sudden roar,

Or the drum’s redoubling beat.

But in this camp of Death

No sound your slumber breaks;

Here is no fevered breath,

No wound that bleeds and aches.

All is repose and peace,

Untrampled lies the sod;

The shouts of battle cease,

It is the Truce of God!

Rest, comrades, rest and sleep!

The thoughts of men shall be

As sentinels to keep

Your rest from danger free.

Your silent tents of green

We deck with fragrant flowers;

Yours has the suffering been,

The memory shall be ours.

The History of Memorial Day - Part 1

The purpose of Memorial Day is to remember those who died while serving in our nation's armed forces.  It is to remember those women and men who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and for our freedom. 

Memorial Day observances in the United States began in the 1860s as a way to honor those that died in the Civil War.  These were localized events and occurred on various dates.  At that time it was called Decoration Day as the graves of soldiers were decorated with flowers.  By 1882, the term Memorial Day began to be used, and in 1967 Memorial Day became the official holiday name. 

36 U.S. Code § 116 - Memorial Day says in part, "It is essential to remember and renew the legacy of Memorial Day, which was established in 1868 to pay tribute to individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States and their families...greater strides must be made to demonstrate appreciation for those loyal people of the United States whose values, represented by their sacrifices, are critical to the future of the United States..the relevance of Memorial Day must be made more apparent to present and future generations of people of the United States through local and national observances and ongoing activities..."

As we look forward to Memorial Day, let us intentionally set aside a few moments of our day to remember those brave men and women that gave their lives for us and our nation.  Let us make it apparent to friends and family the relevance of this day and demonstrate appreciation for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Lawrence Joel - Medal of Honor Recipient

Lawrence Joel was born on February 22, 1928 in Winston Salem, NC.  He joined the Army in 1946 and served in both Korea and Vietnam.  On March 9, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded Joel with the Medal of Honor for his actions in Vietnam on November 8, 1965.  Joel's rank and organization at that time (November 1965) was Specialist Sixth Class (then Sp5c), U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade.

Here is the citation for Joel's Medal of Honor.

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp6c. Joel demonstrated indomitable courage, determination, and professional skill when a numerically superior and well-concealed Viet Cong element launched a vicious attack which wounded or killed nearly every man in the lead squad of the company. After treating the men wounded by the initial burst of gunfire, he bravely moved forward to assist others who were wounded while proceeding to their objective. While moving from man to man, he was struck in the right leg by machine gun fire. Although painfully wounded his desire to aid his fellow soldiers transcended all personal feeling. He bandaged his own wound and self-administered morphine to deaden the pain enabling him to continue his dangerous undertaking. Through this period of time, he constantly shouted words of encouragement to all around him. Then, completely ignoring the warnings of others, and his pain, he continued his search for wounded, exposing himself to hostile fire; and, as bullets dug up the dirt around him, he held plasma bottles high while kneeling completely engrossed in his life saving mission. Then, after being struck a second time and with a bullet lodged in his thigh, he dragged himself over the battlefield and succeeded in treating 13 more men before his medical supplies ran out. Displaying resourcefulness, he saved the life of 1 man by placing a plastic bag over a severe chest wound to congeal the blood. As 1 of the platoons pursued the Viet Cong, an insurgent force in concealed positions opened fire on the platoon and wounded many more soldiers. With a new stock of medical supplies, Sp6c. Joel again shouted words of encouragement as he crawled through an intense hail of gunfire to the wounded men. After the 24 hour battle subsided and the Viet Cong dead numbered 410, snipers continued to harass the company. Throughout the long battle, Sp6c. Joel never lost sight of his mission as a medical aidman and continued to comfort and treat the wounded until his own evacuation was ordered. His meticulous attention to duty saved a large number of lives and his unselfish, daring example under most adverse conditions was an inspiration to all. Sp6c. Joel's profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country."

Joel was also awarded the Silver Star for his actions on that day.  Before going to Washington DC to receive his Medal of Honor, Joel was quoted as saying, "I’m glad to be alive.  I just wish I could have done more. I never say that I deserved the medal. That’s just not for me to say. It was just my job."

Lawrence Joel retired from the Army in 1973 with the rank of Sergeant First Class.  He passed away on February 4, 1984.  SFC Lawrence Joel is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  

The Combat Action Badge (Army)

The Combat Action Badge was approved by the Army Chief of Staff on 02 May 2005.  The description of the badge is as follows:  A silver badge 2 inches (5.08cm) in width overall consisting of an oak wreath supporting a rectangle bearing a bayonet surmounting a grenade, all silver. Stars are added at the top to indicate subsequent awards; one star for the second award, two stars for the third award and three stars for the fourth award.

The Combat Action Badge is the newest combat related badge for the Army.  The first combat badge was the Combat Infantryman Badge authorized in 1943 and was followed by the Combat Medical Badge authorized in 1945.  In order of precedence, you have the Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Medical Badge, and then the Combat Action Badge.  Below the Combat Action Badge is the Expert Infantryman Badge.  (Note:  The Expert Infantryman Badge is not a combat related badge.)

According to Army Regulation 600-8-22 Military Awards, the eligibility requirements for the Combat Action Badge are:

a. On 2 May 2005, the CSA approved the creation of the CAB to provide special recognition to Soldiers who
personally engaged, or are engaged by, the enemy.
b. The requirements for award of the CAB are branch and MOS immaterial. Assignment to a combat arms unit or a unit organized to conduct close or offensive combat operations, or performing offensive combat operations, is not required to qualify for the CAB. However, it is not intended to award the CAB to all Soldiers who serve in a combat zone or imminent danger area.
c. Specific eligibility requirements include:
(1) May be awarded to any Soldier.
(2) Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is
authorized.
(3) Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing
satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.
(4) Soldier must not be assigned or attached to a unit that would qualify the Soldier for the CIB and/or CMB. For
example, an infantryman (MOS 11B) assigned to Corps staff is eligible for award of the CAB. However, an
infantryman assigned to an infantry BN is not eligible for award of the CAB.
d. In addition to Army Soldiers, the CAB may also be awarded to Service members of other U.S. Armed Forces and foreign military personnel assigned to a U.S. Army unit, provided they meet the above criteria (for example, KATUSA
in the 2d Infantry Division).
e. Award of the CAB is authorized for the following operations (award for qualifying service in any previous conflict is not authorized):
(1) Afghanistan (OEF, 18 September 2001 to 31 December 2014; OFS, 1 January 2015 to a date to be determined).
(2) Iraq (OIF, 19 March 2003 to 31 August 2010; OND,1 September 2010 to 31 December 2011).
(3) OIR, 15 June 2014 to a date to be determined.

The first recipients of the Combat Action Badge were:
Sgt. Michael Buyas, armor crewman
Sgt. Timothy Gustafson, armor crewman
Sgt. Manuel Montano, military policeman
Sgt. April Pashley, civil affairs specialist
Sgt. Sean Steans, motor transport officer