Armistice Veterans' Day

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month an armistice was signed in Compiègne, France, celebrating the end of World War I ("the war to end all wars") and remembering those who died in that conflict. The first Armistice Day was established in 1919 in the US and the UK. It was later known as Remembrance Day in the UK and Veteran's Day in the US.

The tradition of the poppy comes from the red flowers that grew over the battlefields of World War I, popularized by the famous poem above. In the UK, this day is also known as Poppy Day poppies are often worn from the end of October until today.

WWI was a gruesome global conflict, one of the deadliest in history and caused 15 - 22 million deaths. Modern defensive weapons combined with trench warfare led to catastrophic human slaughter and over 20 million wounded survivors who were permanently maimed, disabled, or disfigured by mechanized trench warfare. Stories about quadruple amputees led to a rumor that they had to be carried around in baskets and thus the source of the word basketcase. Since dispelled, it gives an understanding of the gruesome nature of the injuries.

Today in the US we honor living and dead veterans and appropriately pause especially at 11 am to pay respect and give thanks for all men and women who have risked their lives to serve our country in all branches of military service. It is also an occasion to honor the families of those men and women who suffered in the absence of their loved ones and grieved their deaths. It would be fitting to wear a poppy if you can find one or even a red ribbon.

Let us pray

Veterans Day Prayer for Heroic Service:

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ The Book of Common Prayer