This is my traditional post for Veteran’s Day.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, World War I ended. This day became known as “Armistice Day.” In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Similarly, unknown soldiers had been buried in England at Westminster Abbey and at France at the Arc de Triomphe. All of these memorials took place on November 11th to commemorate the end of the “war to end all wars.”

In 1926, Congress resolved to officially call November 11th Armistice Day. Then in 1938, the day was named a national holiday. Soon afterwords war broke out in Europe and World War II began.

Soon after the end of World War II, a veteran of that war named Raymond Weeks organized “National Veterans Day” with a parade and festivities to honor all veterans. He chose to hold this on Armistice Day. Thus began annual observances of a day to honor all veterans not just the end of World War I. In 1954, Congress officially passed and President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veteran’s Day. Due to his part in the creation of this national holiday, Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Reagan in November 1982.

In 1968, Congress changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. However, the significance of November 11 was such that the changed date never really got established. In 1978, Congress returned the observance of Veterans Day to its traditional date.

National ceremonies commemorating Veterans Day occur each year at the the memorial amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns. At 11 AM on November 11, a color guard representing all military services executes “Present Arms” at the tomb. Then the presidential wreath is laid upon the tomb. Finally, the bugler plays taps.

Each Veterans Day should be a time when Americans stop and remember the brave men and women who have risked their lives for the United States of America. As Dwight Eisenhower said, “…it is well for us to pause, to acknowledge our debt to those who paid so large a share of freedom’s price. As we stand here in grateful remembrance of the veterans’ contributions we renew our conviction of individual responsibility to live in ways that support the eternal truths upon which our Nation is founded, and from which flows all its strength and all its greatness.”

My friends left yesterday afternoon so I’m back. With them, it is always as if we had seen each other the day or week before. We laugh a lot. We eat great foods that Peg always brings. We take rides along the ocean. On this visit, we went out to lunch. We stopped at a new place, the Maritime Museum in Hyannis where even I had never been. We took our time with the great exhibits and watched for a while a boat rocker building class. As for the dogs and my company, Henry stayed away a bit but then warmed to Bill and allowed patting. As for Nala, there are no strangers, just people to jump on and lick.

My house always feels empty after people leave.

Today is colder, in the low 40’s. The sun is so very bright, the sky a straight blue, but cloudy is the forecast. I have no list for today though I could be clearing spiders’ webs. They seem to be everywhere, across door ways, around chair legs and from frond to frond on my plants. I need to walk round carrying my duster.

My dance card for the week is uke heavy again. I have practice, a lesson and three concerts. Our music for the week is bluegrass.

When I was a kid, Saturday was kids’ day. Sunday was for family. With no stores open, there was only home or the grandparents’ house. I preferred home, but I had no vote. Now, I am the only vote. I stay home. The house is warm and cozy. The fridge is filled with great food, leftovers from Peg. I’ve already eaten toasted Irish bread, a wonderful recipe with orange and cranberries. The dogs are sleeping on the couch.

I’m old, but I don’t feel old; however, the signs are there. At stores and even the dump people ask me if I need help. I used to say no. I don’t any more. Everything is heavy. Also, all the tops of jars are difficult to open as are pill bottles. I have to use pliers. I think it is a conspiracy.