When people tell me they don’t understand why we celebrate Veterans Day, I can’t help but wonder what qualities they value if selfless sacrifice and duty to country don’t make their top-ten list of important traits to honor and respect.

I’m sure the veterans we celebrate on that special day “felt like” serving every day they fought wars overseas. I’m sure their missions made sense to them 100 percent of the time, every single day. I’m sure they woke up every morning and said to themselves, “What a great day to put my life on the line. I really feel like getting up today and making a huge sacrifice for my country. Can I please stay in this tent one week longer with no sleep and only a couple Meals, Ready to Eat, to keep me going? Oh, and could you please shoot at me in the process? That would really make my day, and make a lot of sense, too.”

Thanking and honoring veterans needs to be something we do even when we don’t feel like it – even when we don’t understand their mission, or why they love their country so much.

Our nation is grateful to veterans – the brave men and women who have served in the military and have made tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedom.

Who is a Veteran? Veterans are people who served in the military (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) in times of war or peace.

Who is a soldier? Who are these young men and women who choose to put others before themselves? They are selfless individuals - optimistic, and filled with a sense of duty to themselves and their country. They choose to follow in the footsteps of those who came before them, and to defend both our nation and its honor.

TALK ABOUT CHARACTER TRAITS!! Let’s look at the MARINES!!! The Marine Corps strives to produce not only the best warriors, but also the best people—men and women who live by the Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.

HONOR Marines act responsibly in a mature and dependable manner. They are held to the highest standard of ethical and moral behavior. In the Marines, honesty, honor, and respect for oneself and others is built into our very foundation.

COURAGE Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the ability to face fear and overcome it. It is the mental, moral, and physical strength that is ingrained in Marines. It carries them through every challenge, and aids them in facing the unknown.

COMMITMENT Commitment is what compels Marines to serve our country and the Corps. It is what drives them to face every mission head-on, and win our nation's battles.

QUALITIES FOR A LIFETIME The qualities Marines possess—courage, determination, leadership, honesty, and fortitude—stay with them long after active duty. After a Marine leaves active duty, the core values that they possess as a Marine - honor, courage, and commitment - stay with each individual for the rest of their life.

THE PRIDE OF BELONGING From high school teachers, to well-known industry titans, successful Marines have a record of becoming successful civilians. There are upstanding citizens right in your community that are former Marines. They, too, have gone on to a level of success that they often attribute to their time spent in the Marine Corps. Many point to their initial training where they learned self-reliance, fortitude, and leadership. These traits, once learned, are never forgotten. As they say, "Once a Marine, always a Marine." What's more, they apply universally, whether one is on the battlefield or in the boardroom.

YOUR VETERANS ALL HAVE THESE TRAITS… NO MATTER WHAT BRANCH OF SERVICE… Army Navy Air Force Marines National Guard Coast Guard YOUR VETERANS ALL HAVE THESE TRAITS…

On Veterans Day we thank and honor those who served in the military On Veterans Day we thank and honor those who served in the military. Veterans Day is observed on November 11th of each year. This day used to be called Armistice Day.

VETERANS DAY World War I ended on November 11, 1918. On the same date three years later an unknown soldier from that war was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 eventually became the date when America honors all who have served the United States in war.

Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Do you know the difference? Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring those who died serving their country.

Who do you know who is a veteran? Maybe it is your mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, grandfather, grandmother, cousin, neighbor, or teacher. You can be very proud of them. Many have given much to keep us safe and free.

HONORS BESTOWED UPON OUR VETERANS

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress, it is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The Purple Heart is an American decoration - the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first American award made available to the common soldier. It was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by one of the world’s most famed and best-loved heroes -General George Washington.

MEMORIALS

What can you do on Veterans Day? Win a spot to read your Poem during the Brill Elementary Veterans Day Ceremony. What Does Veterans Day mean to you? Is it apple pie and flag waving? Soldiers in uniform?

Write a poem What Veterans Day means to you Write a poem What Veterans Day means to you. 1 winner per class will be chosen to read their poem at the Veterans Day Program. Interview family and friends for their story!! **REMEMBER YOUR AUDIENCE** Make it interesting not just dates and facts…BORING!!

Your final copy is due on Friday, November 2nd Your poem must be typed or neatly written This will be a major Grade in Language Arts. To be considered for entry it must be typed or neatly written with clip art, stickers, or drawings to compliment it.

SHOW ME YOU CARE ABOUT OUR VETERANS!!! Put your HEART AND SOUL into your writing!!