The shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, last week have cast a pall over Veterans Day. Maj. Nidal Hasan allegedly killed 13 people and wounded 29. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama will likely send more troops to Afghanistan by January, and troops are still stationed in Iraq where the violence seems to have subsided but the country is still in a volatile state.
It all serves as a reminder of the importance of the U.S. military in defending our freedoms and preserving our interests. If most people don’t take time to think about our men and women in uniform, and the tasks accomplished by current and previous generations of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen, today would be a good day to start. This is Veterans Day.
Nov. 11, 1918, was the day the big guns fell silent to end World War I. The now famous 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month signaled the end of four years of the most horrible warfare the world had seen to that time. It was so bad, it was called the war to end all wars. If only. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 Armistice Day.
Though the day started out to honor World War I veterans, the seeds of World War II were planted in the Treaty of Versailles, signed by the allies against Germany in June 1919. By the end of World War II, many millions more veterans needed recognition and, on June 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed into law Veterans Day and Nov. 11 became a day to honor all veterans.
We all owe veterans a debt of gratitude for their immense sacrifice. While most of us go about our daily lives, they are in war zones, manning ships, flying aircraft or home safely from current and previous wars. Some veterans come home through Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where all veterans killed in action return for burial. Some end up in Walter Reed Army Hospital with wounds and scars of battle. Others appear to have come home unscathed but what they carry in their memories will be with them for life.
We ask a lot from our men and women in uniform and they never fail to deliver. We’ll use this day to honor all veterans but, really, every day is Veterans Day.
Editorials
Editorial: Honor America's veterans today
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Editorial: Memorial Day helps put face on wounded warriors
This is the perfect weekend to thank a veteran, an active duty service member or a wounded warrior for his or her service. Our positive, encouraging response goes a long way in defining our society.
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Editorial: Honor those who fought, and celebrate our freedom
This weekend, keep in mind the reason for Memorial Day — to remember those who have been so important in our lives, especially those who made the supreme sacrifice in military service.
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Editorial: Governor candidates offer conservatism, moderation
The jockeying for position has begun in what is basically a two-horse gubernatorial race. Each offers voters a legitimate option. The November outcome may offer a simple referendum on the mindset of voters: Are they most persuaded by Mike Pence’s conservatism or by John Gregg’s moderation?
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Editorial: Keep up the chorus against the landfill
Occupy Anderson has joined the ever-growing chorus against the proposed Mallard Lake landfill. Sam Mudd, a member of Occupy, is taking his studies on how the landfill might pollute Anderson’s water to areas of the county to drum up support against the landfill.
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Editorial: Find a buyer for former school or tear it down
If a buyer wants the former Pendleton Heights Middle School, fine, but put no more taxpayer money into it.
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Editorial: Libraries must adapt to serve communities
Certainly, the Friends of the Anderson Public Library needs space to store and sell used books, records, DVDs and other material. But library supporters and staff must be flexible in this ever-changing world to keep public facilities relevant.
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You Said It: About Walking Men, the Queen of Disco and settled lawsuits
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com.
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Editorial: Ockomon-Spencer saga hurt city's reputation
Wednesday, May 16, was a sad day for Anderson taxpayers forced to pay a $128,000 bill that ends a saga that never should have started
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Editorial: It's Pendleton's time to shine this weekend
The residents of Pendleton can be a little prouder of themselves today. Two events capture the community spirit that makes the town one of the gems in our region.
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Editorial: Little 500 Festival, local events heating up Saturday
Like the Indianapolis 500, Anderson Speedway’s Little 500 should be on the bucket list for folks living in the Madison County area.
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