By Jean Fuller, California State Assemblymember
Let us all remember that freedom is not free.
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918, the armistice treaty signed by the Allies and Germany went into effect, and World War I was over on the Western Front. This global conflict was called the "war to end all wars." Yet, as we all know, World War I has since been followed by other conflicts in which brave American men and women have fought for our nation. But it is from that armistice, declared that day in 1918, that we celebrate veterans nationwide.
On November 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day and made the following declaration: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the council of the nations."
In the years following President Wilson’s proclamation, conflict after conflict continued to face the United States, and more and more citizens were valiantly serving their country. In light of those events, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
On Veterans Day, we offer our thanks and remembrance for America’s great gift of freedom, and the brave men and women who so unselfishly fought to protect it: our veterans.
United States Army Veteran Charles M. Province once wrote, "It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech." We remember the veteran as our most noble example of selflessness and as the ultimate provider of our liberty.
As we remember the 48 million men and women of the military who served with the sole aim of protecting our nation since 1776, it is also important to remember those who never returned-those killed in action, the prisoners of war and our soldiers still missing in action.
We proudly fly the black POW-MIA flag at the State Capitol every day alongside the American Flag. These beloved troops may not be with us today, but their brave spirit and noble actions will never be forgotten.
President Ronald Reagan once said, "Peace, freedom and justice must be won again and again by each successive generation."
I believe President Reagan’s words ring true today, as our brave men and women in the military have been called upon again to serve abroad in defense of the people of the United States.
On Veterans Day, I would like to honor our fallen soldiers and to thank the 25 million living veterans across this nation for their courage under fire, their strength, and the sacrifices they made. Let us all remember that freedom is not free.
Assemblymember Fuller represents the 32nd Assembly District, which includes the Frazier Mountain communities.
This is part of the November 09, 2007 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you.
