A Salute to Our Veterans

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress ... at the urging of the veterans service organizations ... amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill ensured three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the last Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with confusion on Oct. 25, 1971.

Finally on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11th., beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on November 11th.

FYI: According to the Military Officers Association of America, 127 Members of the current 110th Congress have served in the military. The House has 99 out of 434 and the Senate 28 out of 100. The number of veterans in the 110th Congress sadly reflects the trend of a steady decline in the number of Members who have served in the military. For example, 390 veterans served in the 93rd Congress (1973-1975); and 236 served in the 103rd (1993-1995).

It's Veterans Day in the USA and we proudly salute the veterans, both men and women, who have served our nation with honor, dignity, pride and sacrifice. We remember and we thank you. Our flag will forever fly and we are forever free, thanks to you and to the blessings and grace of God on our nation. May God bless each veteran whose life we celebrate today. Stand tall, veterans everywhere ... We Salute You!

U.S. Marines Celebrate 233 Proud Years

The United States Marine Corps traces its institutional roots to the Continental Marines of the American Revolutionary War. The Continental Congress formed the Continental Marines on November 10, 1775, planning to draw them from among Washington's army in Boston and send them to capture supplies from Halifax, Nova Scotia. However, Washington was unenthusiastic about the plan and suggested the Marines be recruited in New York or Philadelphia instead. Captain Samuel Nicholas was commissioned as the Continental Marines' first officer on November 28, 1775. Though legend places its first recruiting post in Philadelphia at the Tun Tavern, Marine historian Edwin Simmons surmises that it was more likely the Conestoga Waggon, a tavern owned by the Nicholas family. Robert Mullen, whose mother owned Tun Tavern, later received a commission in June 1776 and likely used it as his recruiting station.

Today's Marine Corps stands ready to continue in the proud tradition of those who so valiantly fought and died at the likes of Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir, and Khe Sanh. Combining a long and proud heritage of faithful service to the nation, with the resolve to face tomorrow's challenges will continue to keep the Marine Corps the very "best of the best."

Sir Winston Churchill, infamous British Prime Minister, became an ardent admirer of the U.S. Marine Corps. In the company of guests of state, he often demonstrated his respect for U.S. Marines by reciting, from memory, all three verses of The Marines' Hymn.

From the Halls of Montezuma

To the Shores of Tripoli

We fight our country's battles

In the air, on land, and sea

First to fight for right and freedom

And to keep our honor clean

We are proud to claim the title of

THE UNITED STATES MARINES

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze

From dawn to setting sun

We have fought in every clime and place

Where we could take a gun

In the snow of far off northern lands

And in sunny tropic scenes

You will find us always on the job

THE UNITED STATES MARINES

Here's health to you and to our Corps

Which we all are proud to serve

In many a strife we've fought for life

And never lost our nerve

If the Army and the Navy

Ever look on Heaven's scenes

They will find the streets are guarded by

THE UNITED STATES MARINES

Happy Birthday and May God Bless The United States Marines

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Happy 230thBirthday to the United States Marine Corps!