Veterans Day


Photo: The City of Pueblo is known as "America's Home of Heroes",
as was proclaimed by the United States Congress in 1993.

What is it...Something in the water out there in Pueblo? All you guys turn out
to be heroes. — Dwight D. Eisenhower; October 8th, 1953

Nov. 11, 2004
EDITORIAL
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

IT WAS the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month that the armistice ending World War I went into effect. Today we observe Armistice Day, but it has become Veterans Day to honor all of the veterans of all American wars.

Photo: The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress, it is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Today in Pueblo - the Home of Heroes - we all pause to praise and thank the military veterans among us. It is only appropriate: Pueblo is the only city in the nation to have had four Medal of Honor recipients living at the same time.

And as much as we admire what those four heroes did for their country and fellow fighting men, we must also heed the words of one of them, Drew Dix, who cautions that attention should be focused on all military members. For when conflicts plague our world, we call on our young people to take up arms. Millions have, since before the founding of the republic.

They have witnessed death, destruction, carnage. They have seen the worst in man. They have seen the best in man.

They have sat behind desks filling out endless forms in triplicate. They have patched together their wounded comrades, or given chocolate to an orphaned child, or a cigarette to an enemy prisoner.

Yes, these are our veterans, the men and women who have put on the uniforms of American military service to protect us, our way of life and our Constitution. Today, we honor them, from the irregulars who fought the redcoats of King George to the soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen who fought in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Somalia, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq, and those who have stood watch in places all over the globe.

Time passes, and too often we Americans might forget the sacrifice, the valor, the honor which molded our veterans of service.

Sacrifice.

Valor.

Honor.

Qualities much in demand these days and often too little in supply.

Those who go into battle do not know whether they will return home. Far too many didn’t. But for those veterans who outlived the wars they fought in, we should not forget their willingness to pay the ultimate sacrifice had that call come. Sacrifice is an honorable thing among honorable people.

Fear follows all into battle. Valor is the human response to that human emotion. Valor is an honorable thing among honorable people.

Those who have served our flag learned to honor their nation, their outfit and that flag. They learned the value of honoring discipline and teamwork. Those are honorable traits among honorable people.

Today, we salute these dignifying qualities - sacrifice, valor, honor. And we salute the men and women who served their nation.

This nation is grateful for all those who have defended our shores. To all our veterans, the nation and this Home of Heroes say, "Thank you."

God bless America.

http://www.chieftain.com/editorial/1100230124/1