Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Honoring Our Family's Veterans


Today is Veterans' Day


Uncle Claire Roberts served with the US Army during WWII in Europe.
Upon returning to the US, he worked on Parris Island
as a heavy equipment operator until his retirement.






My father-in-law Ed Vernoy Jr.
served with the U.S.M.C. at Guatanamo, Cuba.
He went on to work with NATO in Alaska, Turkey,and Germany.

( Ed Vernoy Sr. served in the Marine Corps during WWII in Okinawa.
Sadly, I have no photo. He became the president of is hometown bank in Connecticut)




My husband, Clint Vernoy joined the Marine Corps in 1980 ,
not yet knowing the Iranians taking of the Americans hostage
would be just the beginning of a long war on terror.
He has gone on to become a missionary in the jungles of Venezuela
and now in Paraguay.

We have others in the family serving even now in places such as
Europe, Afghanistan, Iraq and West Point.



A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America


On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the men and women who in defense of our freedom have bravely worn the uniform of the United States.

From the fields and forests of war-torn Europe to the jungles of Southeast Asia, from the deserts of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan, brave patriots have protected our Nation's ideals, rescued millions from tyranny, and helped spread freedom around the globe. America's veterans answered the call when asked to protect our Nation from some of the most brutal and ruthless tyrants, terrorists, and militaries the world has ever known. They stood tall in the face of grave danger and enabled our Nation to become the greatest force for freedom in human history. Members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard have answered a high calling to serve and have helped secure America at every turn.

Our country is forever indebted to our veterans for their quiet courage and exemplary service. We also remember and honor those who laid down their lives in freedom's defense. These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit. On Veterans Day, we remember these heroes for their valor, their loyalty, and their dedication. Their selfless sacrifices continue to inspire us today as we work to advance peace and extend freedom around the world.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service members have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor America's veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2008, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 9 through November 15, 2008, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage all Americans to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the proclamation!!

May we never forget all Vets and their service, and those working with them as they return home!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for that wonderful Tribute and may God Bless all of out Vets.

Brenda said...

Today is veterans day? I thought that was in May?

What a rich heritage you have! Thanks for the post!

Starla said...

Thanks to all these who have served our country. Thanks for keeping us safe. Great post!!!!

Unknown said...

Thanks Clint and to all before and after you! God bless America!

Findalis said...

I wonder how many of us have veterans in our families. And in the future how many families won't have any living vets in them.

Anonymous said...

My father in law, Bob Williams, was a Marine infantryman on Okinawa. Maybe our families crossed paths there. Bob went on to be a missionary, served in Nigeria and Niger in excess of twenty years. He came back to the states, retired, and died of a heart attack three years later. But he had a good life.

Harry said...

Nice tribute. My daily paper certainly reported that it is Veteran's Day, but their continuing tributes to Obama leave no room for honoring the people who have sacrificed to keep us free.

Of course, judging by the control over our lives we are willingly ceding to the government and the way this presidential election has gone, maybe the majority of Americans find freedom an irksome burden. Most of us haven't had to fight for freedom and haven't had to live under a true dictatorship, so we don't appreciate what we have in the U.S.

Sorry for the rant.

Pasadena Closet Conservative said...

What a nice family gallery.

MightyMom said...

Tell em all THANKS from me!

Esp Yekwana man.

ok?

Karen said...

Very nice tribute. Many thanks to all of our vets.