Thank you. 315/365

In trying to locate Buddy Poppies for us to wear today, I learned that these poppies are assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals and proceeds from distribution of the flowers go to veterans assistance programs. I was able to get mine from the Richmond VFW. The poppy is the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Upon opening my Yahoo account this morning, I was reminded of the story behind the exact date (November 11) of Veteran's Day. Back in 1918, in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a stop to hostilities was declared, ending World War I. An armistice to cease the fighting on the Western Front was signed by the Allied powers and Germany. President Woodrow Wilson immediately proclaimed the day "Armistice Day," kicking off the annual commemoration on November 11. But over the years, with veterans returning from World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day — a day reserved to honor veterans returning from all wars. Congress designated Veterans Day as a legal holiday in 1938.

We spent some time today talking about the veterans in our family and what they and all veterans have done for our country. President Obama said it best today at Arlington National Cemetery, "To all of them — to our veterans, to the fallen and to their families — there is no tribute, no commemoration, no praise that can truly match the magnitude of your service and your sacrifice."