VETERAN'S DAY

Today is Veteran’s Day, a date well worth remembering in these times regardless of your thoughts on the war. Originally designated to commemorate the end of World War I on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, it has receded into the mists of time remaining one of the bloodiest events in world history. Although it was considered during its time to be “the war to end all wars,” it — unfortunately — was simply a preamble to wars to come.

Originally known as Armistice Day, it became a national holiday in 1938. In 1953 some folks in Emporia, Kansas, opted to remember all veterans on the day and in 1954 the name was officially changed to Veteran’s Day and became the day we honor all of our living veterans.

Two days after Veteran’s Day, marks another military occurrence somewhat lost to history: it was the day the USS Juneau was sunk during the Battle of Guadalcanal. What makes that memorable is that the five Sullivan brothers (George, Francis, Joseph, Madison and Albert) were all serving aboard the ship and all five were killed.

While no law prohibits having brothers serve together — contrary to popular myth — having brothers serve on the same ship or in the same military units has been frowned upon ever since.

An interesting aside to the USS Juneau story: there were 37 sets of brothers assigned to the USS Arizona when it was sunk at Pearl Harbor; 24 pairs were killed as were two of three brothers from three other families.

Stories aside, soldiers still die in war, and soldiers still serve our country regardless of elitist arrogance, political expediency or media repugnance and always will. And it is ALL those who have served in this most honorable and selfless profession that we honor today.

"Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea." - Samuel Johnson