On November 11th each year, we commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended WWI in 1918. The significance of the number 11 stems from the coincidence that hostilities were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of that year with the stroke of a pen on that date.
The following year, President Woodrow Wilson started the tradition of celebrating the service of our armed forces with the annual Holiday. The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926.This year, we join together at City Hall and town halls across the country to acknowledge the lives lost and those still serving in several conflicts and here at home. The men and women of the Armed Forces deserve our gratitude and for those of us who havent had the honor of doing so, I offer my sincere thanks for the privileges that have been bestowed on the citizens of our country as a result.
Our ceremony was that much more important this year with the horrific event in Texas only days ago. We lost good people in what looks to have been a preventable act of terrorism on our own soil. With our new administration handed two wars and countless breakdowns across the world, we count on our military to be "on the ready" for when the unspeakable occurs. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims of this tragic act.Both of my Grandfathers served in WWII. The memorabilia of their time of service is still displayed and the pride of their service is still reflected upon. Although they are both no-longer with us, I am grateful to both of them for that service.
As Jim Noble mentioned at City Hall: From the Greatest Generation to the Current Generation, we owe our Armed Forces the deepest gratitude for the past and continued service they provide. Everyone in the assembly would surely agree and Jim's comments were well received.Be ready to support our service men & women when they come home from duty both financially and emotionally. These harsh economic times aren't going to make that very easy for any of them.
