Today is the 100th anniversary of the first Armistice Day. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month was the time and date established to remember the end of World War I.

World War I was to be the war to end all wars. The philosophy of the day was that man’s upward evolution and advances in science would usher in peace and prosperity for all. We see how quickly the reality of the nature of man revealed the error of that thinking.

After World War II, Congress changed Armistice day to Veterans Day to recognize all veterans who served in war and in peace.

Today, I decided to look back in my recent commentaries and pull out some stories of veterans. These are all men of the greatest generation who served in the World War II time frame. Just click on the photo or the heading to read about them.

Bob Bright POW

Bob Bright turned 94 earlier this year and he is still going strong. He was shot down over Europe and taken POW by the Germans.

Two WWII Veterans Reminisce

My father, Robert Cole, (left) and Billy Forrest (right) were in training when President Truman dropped the atomic bombs on Japan to end the war. It is quite likely that they, along with tens of thousands of young Americans, would have died in that war had it not been for Truman’s decision.

They both went to Japan after the surrender to help Japan rebuild. Today, Japan is one of our strongest allies.

He Still Remembers D-Day

Julian Parker of Cordele still remembers wading on that beach on June 6, 1944. The experience of war and death had such an effect on him that when he got home, he took his hunting rifle out to the woods and buried it.

I hope that you enjoy reading these past articles of veterans. we owe our veterans a debt of gratitude. From those who are approaching the century mark in their lives, to the men and women who have not reached the 2nd decade of their lives and are serving us today, we owe a debt of gratitude. Happy Veterans Day.

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