A Salute to Veterans

Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. 

Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11th became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day -- which honors American service members who died in service to their country, or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American Veterans--living or dead--and gives thanks to living Veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

In 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971, but in 1975 President Ford returned to November 11, due to the important historical significance of the date.

The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony commences precisely at 11:00 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans' organizations and remarks from dignitaries. The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces.

Veterans Day is an annual American holiday honoring military Veterans. Both a federal holiday and a state holiday in all states, it is usually observed on November 11th. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.  

The United States also celebrated Armistice Day on November 11th until Al King, an Emporia, Kansas shoe store owner campaigned to update it to ‘All’ Veterans Day. With the help of then U.S. Representative Ed Rees and President Dwight Eisenhower, Congress amended this act on November 8, 1954, replacing ‘Armistice’ with Veterans, and it has been known as Veterans Day.  [Wikipedia]

Veterans Facts

The brave men and women who serve and protect the U.S. come from all walks of life; they are parents, children and grandparents. They are friends, neighbors and coworkers, and an important part of their communities. Here are some facts about the current Veteran population of the United States.

There are now approximately 23.2 million Veterans living in the United States.

·           9.2 million Veterans are over the age of 65.

·           1.9 million Veterans are under the age of 35.

·           1.8 million Veterans are women.

·           7.8 million Veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975)

·           5.2 million Veterans served during the Gulf War (Aug. 2, 1990, to present).

·           2.6 million Veterans served during World War II (1941-1945).

·           2.8 million Veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).

·           6 million Veterans served in peacetime

For interesting facts and history - visit the   The US Army Center of Military History

 Here are some of my favorite websites for families of Veterans who are deployed:

http://www.wivesoffaith.org

http://weservetoo.com

http://soldiersangels.org

My friend Kathryn Sneed is a military wife, mother and blogger. 

Visit her at  http://www.singingthroughtherain.net/

My dad is a US Navy Veteran (pilot), my husband is a US Navy Veteran, my father-in-law was a US Air Force Veteran, and our son is an active duty US Marine officer serving on his first deployment in the Mideast aboard the USS Iwo Jima.  We are a true military family and salute our Veterans.  Ooh-Rah !

Our son at his commissioning with my dad and husband

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

A Salute to Veterans

A Veterans Day Salute and Coping With Life in the Military

Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11th became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day -- which honors American service members who died in service to their country, or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans--living or dead--and gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

• In 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
• In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971, but in 1975 President Ford returned to November 11, due to the important historical significance of the date. 

Veterans Facts
The brave men and women who serve and protect the U.S. come from all walks of life; they are parents, children and grandparents. They are friends, neighbors and coworkers, and an important part of their communities. Here are some facts about the current veteran population of the United States.

• 9.2 million veterans are over the age of 65.
• 1.9 million veterans are under the age of 35.
• 1.8 million veterans are women.
• 7.8 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), which represents 33% of all living veterans.
• 5.2 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2, 1990, to present).
• 2.6 million veterans served during World War II (1941-1945).
• 2.8 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).
• 6 million veterans served in peacetime. 

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 11th 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.

I come from a family of veterans.  My Dad is a retired U.S. Naval aviator, my husband is retired U.S. Naval Reserves, and our son is a U.S. Marine Corps officer.  My husband's Dad served over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force.  I spent the first 18 years moving to various duty stations with my family across the US and overseas.  It was an interesting life, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  My husand and I live presently in a large "Navy town", and Florida has a large active-duty and retired military veteran population.

 My friend Kathryn Sneed has a wonderful Christian Blog for Military Wives - 

Singing Through the Rain          

The following is an excerpt from two of her posts regarding military life...

Three things Kathryn likes about being a military wife: 

1. Having support from other wives going through the same thing you are.I have met so many wonderful military ladies both online and in person, and I love all the support groups I have found as well. It is a big help to be able to go through stuff and know that someone else understands!

2. Being patriotic and proudI know that you do not have to be a military wife to be patriotic and proud, but becoming a military wife has made so much more in tune to what people have done for our country past and present. It is an amazing thing.

3. Meeting lots of new friends You cannot beat the wonderful friends you make each time you move. Yes, eventually you will have to move away from them, but hopefully these friends are for life, and have helped you somehow along the way. I am so grateful for the few good friends God has brought into my life since being stationed here, it really amazes me!  The traveling definitely makes things interesting and keeps you on your toes! What better way to see the world and other places you have not been?

Three things that are tough about being a military wife: 

1. Deployments

These are I think the number one reason to dislike being a military wife. Nobody likes deployments, worrying about our husbands and being lonely at home, but we all have to go through with them.
Ways to Deal:  As a lot of people said in their posts yesterday, deployments are a way to help us grow. Ways to deal are to seek support of others: from God, friends, and church. It's still not easy, but it definitely helps to have support!

2. Being Away From Friends and Family
Here is on that has been tough for me. I really miss being away from friends and family. I miss Florida so much, and get sad when I see people on Facebook, who get to go to Florida all the time. I know it's part of the military life, but that still does not make it easy.
Ways to Deal:  I don't think anything can make up for your own friends and family, but making new friends where you are stationed helps a lot.   Reach out to others, volunteer, find military wives groups. Talk to God. Tell Him you are lonely and remember He is always with you.  

3. Work Schedule
My husband is on call a lot, and that means he can get called in at anytime day or night. We have been in the middle of church and had to leave, and he almost missed Easter Sunday as well. It can be very frustrating.
Ways to Deal:  Have a good attitude and find other stuff to do do keep busy if he has to work.

If you are a military wife, make it a point to visit Kathryn's Blog regularly - 

Singing Through the Rain

                                                    

  Some other great sites to visit are:

Christian Military Wives

Wives of Faith

We Serve Too!

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

A Veterans Day Salute and Coping With Life in the Military

Guest Blogger Kathryn Sneed

Kathryn is 23 years old, a military wife, and a Christian.  She has been married to her wonderful husband Jonathan, who is in the United States Air Force, for about a year and half now. Her husband will have been in the Air Force for two years in July, and they are stationed in Georgia. They are expecting their first baby, a boy in June and are very excited to see what the Lord has for them as a family!

Kathryn's Blog "Singing in the Rain" features posts about military life, baby and new parent topics, as well as everyday struggles and triumphs.  Kathryn is participating in the "Wives of Faith" Blog carnival and has many links on her site relating to military family life.

Kathryn's Guest Post -        Overcoming Worry & Fear

I subscribe to several blogs by email and today I read a really great post that made me think about some things! The post was called, Breaking Free from Worry and Fear by Jocelyn Green author of the book, Faith Deployed. In her post, Jocelyn discusses how military wives share the recurring theme of fear and worry in their lives, as they watch their husbands deploy. She gives several tips for overcoming fear and worry and also quotes several other military wives.

How true it is, the worry and fear military wives go through either every day or most days. I remember when my husband, Jon told me he was going to join the Air Force. I was terrified! I knew nothing about the military or the military life, and all I could think about was him deploying. I will admit it, I cried. I cried the night he told me his decision. I was so confused as to where I would fit in and what would happen. At the time we were not married yet, and we were a month away from becoming engaged. My husband has not even deployed yet, and I am still a bit scared for him to go. I cannot even imagine what it is like for the wives who have been through it 2-3 times already!

Fear and worry have always been a problem in my life. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fearful of the unknown. I worried about bad things happening, I have even had anxiety/panic attacks because of it. Sad, I know. Even more sad knowing I have a Saviour who is there to help me any time of the day and wants me to come to him, but I don't. It is something I have struggled with and am determined to overcome. I am getting better each day with God's help!

In her post, Jocelyn Green lists several verses about fear and worry and several quotes that really spoke to me. One verse is, I Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." God cares about every little thing in our lives. He does not want us to worry or fear, because He is in control. When worrying about deployments, here are a few things to think about:  

“Whether they are at home or abroad, God’s plan for us is already written, we cannot do anything to change it!”  -National Guard wife Mary Whitlock

How true that is! Knowing that we cannot change what will happen should help you not to worry. Remembering it is in God's hands and knowing that He already knows the outcome.

"There comes a point in every military wifes’ life when she is going to have to answer the question- Is God enough? Big enough to deal with the fear of death? Big enough to take care of her and her babies, should the unthinkable happen?"   -Air Force wife Ellie Kay

This is so true, and really made me think. I should not even have to ask the question, "Is God big enough?" Because to get to that point I have already answered my question by asking. If we have to ask then we do not believe it to be true. We may want to, but we still may have that fear in the back of our minds. We have to determine to let go and tell God, "You are big enough. Big enough to take care of my problems, big enough to take care of my fears and worries, and big enough to take care of my husband."

It really makes you think doesn't it? What are some ways you deal with fear and worry? Everyone has fears, whether you are a military wife or not. Just determine that you will overcome them with God's help in your life!

                               You can visit Kathryn's Blog "Singing in the Rain"  at 

            http://singing-in-the-rain24.blogspot.com/

~Kathryn   

I am an Avon Representative, call me to get a catalog, or go online to place an order!
http://kathrynsneed.avonrepresentative.com/

Guest Blogger Kathryn Sneed