Proud to serve Published Nov. 9, 2011 By Lt. Col. Mark Cumbee 94th Operations Support Squadron DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Recently I stopped at a local gas station to fill-up while still in uniform. While pumping gas, a gentleman came over and said "thank you for your service." I replied, "I'm proud to serve." This has happened to me numerous times since 9/11, and I'm sure it has happened to you too. It makes me stand-up a little straighter and instills pride in me that our community does recognize what we are accomplishing in the armed services. In fact, I have often found myself at the airport and I see other members in uniform, I will tell them "thank you for your service." I know my squadron has heard me say numerous times that I appreciate their service and the time and enormous effort put into keeping our mission moving forward, but on Nov. 11, our nation will also recognize our efforts, struggles, and loses on Veterans Day. Looking ahead to Veteran's Day, I visited the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website to "re-learn" what Veteran's Day was all about and how many veterans there are in the United States. Veteran's Day originated on Nov. 11, 1919 as "Armistice Day" when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed, "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 councils of the nations." This date was chosen because one year prior in 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, after four years of bitter war, the Allied powers signed a cease-fire agreement (an armistice) with Germany bringing World War I to a close. This year, Veteran's Day is 11/11/11! Yes, for you history buffs, the Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended the war was signed on June 28, 1919, however, fighting ceased seven months earlier in November. Later in 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill changing the name to Veterans Day to honor all veterans who served in all American wars. The important purpose of Veteran's Day is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. And how many veterans are there? Last year the U.S. Census Bureau presented that there are 21.9 million veterans in the U.S.; 9 million of those are 65 years and older and 1.5 million are female. "Proud to Serve"... on a recent trip to Washington D.C., I went to visit the Pentagon Memorial and the Air Force Memorial which are set next to Arlington National Cemetery. As I walked from the Pentagon up the hill to the Air Force Memorial, you notice the rows and rows of white headstones at Arlington, and it is overwhelming at times the sacrifices which our nation has asked her young men and women to endure; you all do it freely today as well. I am proud to serve our great nation and I hope you are too! Take pride in all you do.
