God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood
  In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetary. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, became the focal point of reverence for America's Veterans. Armistice Day officially received it's name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 20 years after the end of WWI in 1938, by similar Congressional action. Just a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war again broke out in Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle. After the second World War, Armistice Day continued to be observed on November 11. In 1953, townspeople in Emporia, Kansas called the holiday Veteran's Day in gratitude to the veterans in thier town. Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WWII and the Korean War, Congress was requested to make this day an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans' Day. On Memorial Day 1958, two more unidentified American war dead were brought from overseas and interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier of World War I. One was killed in World War II and the other in the Korean War. In 1973, a law passed providing interment of an unknown American from the Vietnam War, but none was found for several years. In 1984, an unknown serviceman from that conflict was placed alongside the others. To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, The 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil. The serviceman from the Vietnam War has since been identified. Americans still give thanks for peace on Veterans' Day. There are ceremonies and speeches, and at 11:00 in the morning, Americans are urged to observe a moment of silence, remembering those who fought for peace. I walked through a county courthouse square, On a park bench an old man was sitting there. I said, "Your old courthouse is kinda run down." He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town." I said, "Your flagpole has leaned a little bit, And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it. He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down. "Is this the first time you've been to our little town?" I said, "I think it is." He said, "I don't like to brag, But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag." "You see, we got a little hole in that flag there When Washington took it across the Delaware. And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key Sat watching it writing "Oh Say Can You See". And it got a bad rip in New Orleans With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams." "And it almost fell at the Alamo Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on through. She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill. There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg, And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag." "On Flanders Field in World War I She got a big hole from a Bertha gun. She turned blood red in World War II She hung limp and low by the time it was through. She was in Korea and Vietnam. She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam." "She waved from our ships upon the briny foam, And now they've about quit waving her back here at home. In her own good land she's been abused -- She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused." "And the government for which she stands Is scandalized throughout the land. And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin, But she's in good shape for the shape she's in. 'Cause she's been through the fire before And I believe she can take a whole lot more." "So we raise her up every morning, Take her down every night. We don't let her touch the ground And we fold her up right. On second thought I DO like to brag, 'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag." ~Written by Johnny Cash~ War is not a pretty thing...never has been. As a veterans' advocate, I have seen the scars both physical and emotional that have been left by the war experience. One of the best tributes you can give to a vet on this Veterans' Day and every day is a thank you for their service to your country! Show respect for the flag that they fought to uphold. Listen to them...give them your respect and let them know that you are so very proud of them! This page was done to let you know that I am very proud to represent the veteran and assist him and her in obtaining the benefits deserved. Dear Veteran, I thank you for your contribution in preserving this country's rights and freedoms!!! ~Bubbles~ 
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