Dr. Mark Geen, a Tennessee State Senator, greets Iraqi child. Green was a member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. (photo contributed)
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month was marked as an armistice or end of violent hostilities between The Keizer's Germany and the Allied Nations in 1917 that preceded the official end to World War I.
As President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day two years later, his quote reveals the essence of our celebration of Veterans Day: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations..."
Later changed to Veterans' Day, this national holiday was designated to honor the heroism of those who've served to defend our nation's integrity and liberty in military service.
Ironically, the term "veteran" originated to identify those of more senior age and status, yet the large majority of the brave men and women who actively defend our sacred liberty are America's young adults. Ranging from 60.2% of the Coast Guard up to 82.9% for the US Marines, the active military forces are predominantly comprised of adults 18-30 years young.
President Ronald Reagan in his 1985 Veterans' Day speech at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery observed that our military fallen "gave up two lives: the one they were living and the one they would have lived." For veterans who survived war or served in more peaceful times, their sacrifice of a "normal" life on Main Street, USA is often overlooked with missed birthdays, first steps of their toddlers taken without their serving parent cheering them on, and empty place-settings nightly at the kitchen table.
America's living veterans are our heroes and "sheroes." They serve as the timeless inspiration for the poem by Army Veteran, Charles M. Province entitled, "It is the Soldier."
It is the Soldier, not the minister Who has given use freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Indeed, the men and women who serve in vast roles as the unified force of our United State Military deserve honor and respect for their service and sacrifice. Yet, the liberty of some to speak freely has turned into an unbridled license to condemn the vary guardians of the entitled and grossly uninformed. No other single group has been the defender of individual liberties that define the founding, the existence, and the future of America more than those who serve in the various branches of our military service.
More than half a million veterans call Tennessee home.
From World War II to recent tours in Afghanistan, six Middle Tennessee veterans are sharing their personal accounts of serving in the country's major conflicts from the past century.
Of those thousands of servicemen and women living in the Volunteer State, almost 375,000 are wartime veterans, according to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 2014 numbers. The Tennessean is telling their stories to mark Veterans Day and honor all who served.
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Members of the General Assembly who have served their county.
[Hope I didn't miss anyone!]
Sen. Richard Briggs
Sen. Rusty Crowe
Sen. Mark Green
Sen. Dolores Gresham
Sen. Ed Jackson
Rep. Kent Calfee
Rep. Karen Camper
Rep. Craig Fitzhugh
Rep. John Fogerty
Rep. Tilman Goins
Rep. Curtis Johnson
Rep. Curtis Halford
Rep. Ron Lollar
Rep. Jon Lundberg
Rep. Judd Matheny
Rep. Gerald McCormick
Rep. Antonio Parkinson
Rep. John Ragan
Rep. Jay Reedy
Rep. Courtney Rogers
Rep. Charles Sargent
Rep. David Shepard
Rep. Billy Spivey
Rep. Micah Van Huss
Rep. John Mark Windle
Rep. Rick Womick
All the Places Veterans Can Eat & Drink Free on Veterans Day
To thank members of the military past and present for their service, food and drink are on the house all over the country on Veterans Day 2015, which takes place on Wednesday, November 11. Before getting to the bars and restaurants offering freebies, let us also point out that they're not the only deals available to military service personnel.
Among the non-food freebies, Great Clips is giving anyone who gets a haircut on November 11 will receive a card that a veteran or active-duty military service member can later use for a free haircut; UFC Gyms are giving free gym access to those with military ID and their families from November 11 to 15; Meineke offers free oil changes with military ID on Veterans Day; and national park admission is free for everyone on November 11.
As for free food and drink, check out the list below. Unless otherwise stated, the offers are valid on November 11 only. In all cases, be sure to bring ID with proof of status as a current or former member of the military. Happy Veterans Day!
Touching story from Sen. Mike Bell
Both of Sen. Bell's sons and his son-in-law have or are serving our country!
"..... an old Marine I met a few years ago at Westwood Baptist Church's annual veterans lunch.
The MC of the program was recognizing the different military services by having them stand as they were called. In a room of 100-150 vets, many stood as the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard were called. When she asked the Marines to stand, only one old Marine stood and then quickly sat down before the applause ended. The MC then asked, "In a room this big only one Marine?" Without missing a beat the Marine stood again and said "It only takes one."
