A salute to our Veterans

This date is more than just a day off from work or school as it was established as a recognition of our American Veterans. The end of World War I was on Nov. 11, 1918 at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. First called “Armistice Day,” then when war broke out all over Europe a few years after the holiday was created, it was renamed Veterans Day to honor all Veterans.

There are ceremonies and parades all over our country and at Arlington Cemetery in D.C. to continue the tradition of honoring the men and women for their bravery and sacrifice and serving our country. 

Military Movies  

My father had served in the United States Army Air Corp, which was the aerial warfare service component of the army between 1926 and 1941. When aviation became increasingly vital as part of modern warfare, the Air Force was created in 1947 and the Army Air Corp was dissolved. Then the army became a separate branch. When I was growing up, there were three kinds of movies my father liked to watch. They were any westerns with John Wayne in it, musicals with plenty of tap dancing and military theme films. On a non school nights I was allowed to stay up later and watch with movies with my dad and soon these films became my favorites, too, and repeated watching an enjoyable tradition. There were several favorites that I still like to watch when they come on the channels that features old films. If you haven’t seen these, try to find them and see the artistry of films of this era and the true stories about the lead characters featured in the film. The actions of these men were so heroic that Hollywood screen writers turned them into block buster films of those years post WW II.  

Made in 1955, “To Hell and Back,” is the true story of teenaged Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in U.S. history. The film starred Audie Murphy himself and he was as handsome as any screen idol and amazingly talent in his first acting role. One of the saddest films I recall watching was called “The Fighting Sullivans,” made in 1944. The story was about a very close-knit group of five brothers, George, Francis, Joseph, Madison and Albert, from Iowa that served on the same ship, the USS Juneau during World War II.  The ship was torpedoed and sunk off of Guadalcanal and all five brothers, ages 20-27, perished. To this day it remains the greatest combat- related loss of life by one family, at one time, in American military history. After this occurrence, the Sole Survivor Policy was implemented by the Selective Service in 1948 that exempted the sole surviving son of a family where one or more sons or daughters had been killed in action, or died in the line of duty while in the military service.” Years later the USS The Sullivans (DD-537) was named for the brothers in their memory. Now it is a retired United States Navy Fletcher-class destroyer and docked at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park along the Buffalo River and Inner Harbor in Buffalo, New York.

I actually had a chance to see this ship about nine years ago when visiting friends, JoAnn and Earle, that live in Lockport, N.Y. who took us sightseeing for the day. When we strolled along the Buffalo River looking at other museum ships in the harbor, I was immediately excited when I spotted the USS The Sullivans! Memories of my childhood and watching The Fighting Sullivans with my dad made me a bit nostalgic. I asked my friend to take my photo standing on the gangplank with the ship’s name beneath me and knew my dad would have been moved by the sighting of the ship, too. 

Another favorite and this one starred the beloved Gary Cooper of “High Noon” fame, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “Mr. Deed Goes to Town,” is the 1941 film “Sergeant York.” It is the story about a Tennessee farmer who was an expert marksman that is drafted during World War I. York struggles with his pacifist inclinations before becoming one of the most celebrated war heroes. The acting in all three of these films is so believable and the viewer easily becomes engrossed, attached and involved with the storyline and well-being for the lead characters as well as the soldiers on the same mission.

More than just entertainment and a film to pass a few hours, these movies lend a reality to what our veterans have gone through and are experiencing today, serving in areas around the world. 

Remember this Nov. 11 to thank a veteran you know or if you see one in uniform. Display your American flag proudly outside your house or in the window if you don’t have a pole on the exterior to place one. 

A heartfelt, sincere thank you to all our Veterans!