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eterans Day is observed in the United States on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It was formerly known as Armistice Day and was given its new name in 1954 at the end of the Korean War to honor all veterans. Veterans Day is observed with memorial ceremonies, salutes at military cemeteries, small-town parades, homes with a flag, and the wearing of poppies.

This day was initially named Remembrance Day, along with a separate Remembrance Sunday by the Commonwealth. To be in London for their celebration during those two days, with my wife, lives in our memory. An ocean of Poppies abounded, flags were flying, church bells rang, and the atmosphere was somber with thanks.

Veterans Day is a time of remembrance that the older generation, along with a new generation of veterans, recognize with their families and friends. At the exact hour of 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, many throughout our nation will be saluting our nations flag and wearing remembrance poppies in honor of those who gave their last breath in securing the freedom that their living brethren so enjoy. It is a day of deep personal thought about the realities that created our nation as a Constitutional Republic.

Veterans slowly fade away, as do all good citizen soldiers, knowing they helped secure a better and safer life for our families, nation, and world. They were not heroes; they were just ordinary citizens from all walks of American life dedicated to preserving their goodwill for their beloved country. Veterans and their families can stand proudly, knowing they did their duty and honored their country without rancor during some of its most troubled and dangerous times.

The older veterans presently living in Northern Virginia throughout their 20th-century military service and most of their military and civilian lives were engaged with the containment of Communism. Communism seemed poised to spread indefinitely, and then it collapsed like a house of cards. It had violated one of the basic tenets of civilization, Thou shalt not kill.

After the collapse of Communism, many opined that the newly established world order would be forever peaceful. However, the opening of the 21st century has created a new generation of veterans fighting a new set of adversaries violating this same tenet of civilized people, Thou shall not kill.

American patriots and their families have been bearing the brunt of many conflicts since before the Revolutionary War. All had a continuous outpouring of brotherly love for one another and their units. The reasons, in my opinion, for our closeness as military veterans: We were personally a part of that essential national organization dedicated to preserving freedom and protecting our families and citizens, the U.S. military. We were proud to be so and to do so. And we remain so.

The many reunions of veterans throughout Northern Virginia that take place every year are the result of an ethos first noted by the ancient Greeks. Phillia never leaves the individual, and the individual never leaves the military. That ethos, brotherly love, remains to the last. It is the unselfish nature of service to the nation of each in the uniform of our countrys military forces that once again brings us together for the nationwide celebration of Veterans Day, Nov. 11, to embrace our Oath of Allegiance, to serve our nations citizens, to salute our flag, and to protect our nations Constitution. And each asks, What more could we have done?

Richard L. Spencer, Ph.D., is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel living near Fort Belvoir.

Read more:
Remembrance Day: the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - Fairfaxtimes.com