HAPPY VETERANS DAY

FROM OUR FAMILY AT OLDE TOWNE SPORTS DEPOT - WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL VETERANS!!!! THIS ALSO INCLUDES OUR OWN - MY HUSBAND, CHARLES - MY FATHER, J.C. - MY COUSIN LARRY, MY UNCLE JAMES - AND MY HUSBAND'S UNCLES - RAY AND BILL (I KNOW THERE ARE FAMILY MEMBERS I HAVEN'T LISTED THAT ALSO SERVICED WITH PRIDE), FAMILY FRIENDS, RANDY, WESLEY, HANK, JOHNNY, DAVID AND BILL, AMONG MANY OTHERS - I'M SORRY IF I DID NOT LIST YOU SPECIFICALLY, ESPECIALLY THOSE DEPARTED - MY HUSBAND'S FATHER - CHARLES, SR.!!! YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY IS AND WAS APPRECIATED AND WITHOUT YOU AND THOSE LIKE YOU, OUR FREEDOM WOULD BE IN JEOPARDY.

A LITTLE VETERANS DAY HISTORY FOR YOU:

VETERANS DAY IS CELEBRATED ON NOVEMBER 11TH. IF IT FALLS ON A SUNDAY, THEN IT IS CELEBRATED ON MONDAY. IF IT FALLS ON A SATURDAY, THEN IT CAN BE CELEBRATED EITHER ON FRIDAY OR SATURDAY.

VETERANS DAY WAS ALSO KNOWN AND IS ALSO CELEBRATED AS ARMISTICE DAY OR REMEMBRANCE DAY.

Armistice Day is the anniversary of the symbolic end of World War I which ended November 11, 1918 - 90 years ago. It commemorates the armistice (the armistice treaty) that was signed between the Allies and Germany at Rethondes, France, for the hostilities on the Western Front. It took affect at eleven o'clock in the morning on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. While this official date to mark the end of the war reflects the cease fire on the Western Front, hostilities continued in other regions, especially across the former Russian Empire (also known as Modern Russia which existed until near the end of the war) and in parts of the old Ottoman Empire (Turkish State).

Also celebrated as Remembrance Day - which itself is known as Poppy Day . King George V specifically dedicated "Remembrance Day" as a special day in 1919.

The story of the Poppy and what it represents:

The poppy seed can lie for years before it sprouts nodding buds then blooms four crumbled petals. It is a vivid mix between red and orange in color. These simple flowers grew en mass over the grave sites on the Western Front. They soon became a symbol associated with Veterans.

The VFW's Buddy Poppy Program started more than 75 years ago and has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their dependents.

Next time you see a Veteran collecting and handing out poppies - first thank him for his service - then do your part - contribute to a well deserving cause.

Whatever this day is celebrated as, it serves the same purpose. Remembrance of the bravery of our active, former and departed veterans. It is celebrated all over the world and in many parts of the world, 2 minutes of silence are observed at 11:00 am. Why don't we join them?

I'd like to end this with pictures of past posters from the official Veterans Day Poster Gallery:

THERE ARE MANY OTHERS - I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT THEY SURE AFFECT ME LOOKING AT THEM. TO SEE THE OTHERS, GO TO THE OFFICIAL DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN'S AFFAIRS WEBSITE:

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp

PLEASE - IF YOU SEE A VETERAN TODAY - THANK THEM. NOT ONLY TODAY BUT EVERY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!