|
|
Patriotic Days
Fostering patriotism and honoring America's
veterans, whether it is Independence Day or Veterans Day, is part of
the VFW's philosophical core. Public commemorations hosted by VFW Posts
worldwide cultivate an appreciation of both the responsibilities and
benefits of being an American.
Loyalty Day
Loyalty Day originally began as "Americanization Day" in
1921 as a counter to the Communists' May 1 celebration of the Russian
Revolution. On May 1, 1930, 10,000 VFW members staged a rally at New
York's Union Square to promote patriotism. Through a resolution adopted in
1949, May 1 evolved into Loyalty Day. Observances began in 1950 on April
28 and climaxed May 1 when more than five million people across the nation
held rallies. In New York City, more than 100,000 people rallied for
America. In 1958 Congress enacted Public Law 529 proclaiming Loyalty Day a
permanent fixture on the nation's calendar.
Memorial Day, May 30 (traditional), is a sacred day to all war veterans.
America's collective consciousness demands that all citizens be reminded
of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime. By honoring the
nation's war dead, we preserve their memory and thus their service and
sacrifice. All U.S. flags should be displayed at half-staff during the
morning hours. At noon, they should be raised back to full-staff.
On July 4, 1776, the signers of the Declaration of Independence boldly
asserted that all are "created equal, that they are endowed by their
creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." With these words, our forefathers
formed a new nation and put forth a vision of liberty and democracy that
would forever alter history. Every Fourth of July, Americans celebrate
this pivotal moment in our history, which set into motion the development
of a land of freedom and opportunity unequalled in the world.
Those whom we lost September 11, 2001, will forever hold a cherished place
in our hearts and in the history of our nation. By a joint resolution
approved December 18, 2001, (Public Law 107-89), Congress authorized the
president to designate September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day" to
perpetuate the memory of those who perished in the attack on America and
to pursue peace and justice in the world and security at home. Appropriate
ceremonies and activities include a moment of silence beginning at 8:46
a.m. EDT, remembrance services and candlelight vigils. Flags should be
flown at half-staff on Patriot Day.
Veterans Day
Veterans Day is an opportunity to publicly commemorate the
contributions of living veterans. Armistice Day officially received its
name in America in 1926 through a congressional resolution. It became a
national holiday 12 years later by similar congressional action.
If World War I had been "the war to end all wars," November 11 might be
still called Armistice Day. Realizing that peace was equally preserved by
veterans of World War II and Korea, Congress decided to make the day an
occasion to honor all those who have served America. In 1954 President
Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans
Day. (Historically, the first Veterans Day parade was held in 1953 in
Emporia, Kansas.)
A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to
the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that
November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans.
Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional
date.
POW/MIA Recognition Day
POW/MIA Recognition Day honors the commitments and the sacrifices made by
our nation's prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action.
By custom, it is on the third Friday in September.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is one of the six days specified by law
on which the black POW/MIA flag shall be flown over federal facilities and
cemeteries, post offices and military installations.
Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the
red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a
poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, "In Flander's
Field," describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen.
For more than 75 years, the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions
of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their
dependents.
The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in
1922, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide
distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
It was during the 1923 encampment that the VFW decided that VFW Buddy
Poppies be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for
their work to provide them with some form of financial assistance. The
plan was formally adopted during the VFW's 1923 encampment. The next year,
disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW
Buddy Poppies. The designation "Buddy Poppy" was adopted at that time.
In February 1924, the VFW registered the name "Buddy Poppy" with the U.S.
Patent Office. A certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting the VFW
all trademark rights in the name of Buddy under the classification of
artificial flowers. The VFW has made that trademark a guarantee that all
poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are genuine products of the
work of disabled and needy veterans. No other organization, firm or
individual can legally use the name "Buddy" Poppy.
Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy
veterans in VA Hospitals.
The minimal assessment (cost of Buddy Poppies) to VFW units provides
compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial
assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and
service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home for orphans
and widows of our nation's veterans.
In Flander's Field
by John McCrae
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead.
Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.
|
