Veterans Day

This is a WWII 4″ gun emplacement on Garden Island in Western Australia. The only thing removed were the barrels of the guns, otherwise it remains as it was in 1942. It had communications with a spotting battery located about 500 yards away and up on a rise.
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 legislature 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 II 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, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

We are not the only ones who celebrate Veterans Day, here in Australia they call it Remembrance Day. I was privileged to be allowed to observe the ceremony onboard HMAS Parramatta III this morning. It was very moving and commemorated the loss of HMAS Parramatta II during WWII off Tobruk, and other crewmembers who have died while serving aboard.
A toast to all the other Veterans, where ever they may be! Salute!

Comments

Veterans Day — 4 Comments

  1. The world is a better place because of men like you.

    “You sleep safe in your beds, because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do you harm.” George Orwell