Wicker Celebrates the Blessings of Freedom on Veterans Day
Holiday Serves as an Important Reminder of the Service and Sacrifice of Brave Americans
November 12, 2012
Millions of Americans exercised their right to vote in the election this year. On Veterans Day, Americans stop to give thanks to the brave military men and women whose service and sacrifice have protected this cherished freedom. In the words of Winston Churchill, “Never … was so much owed by so many to so few.”
The idea of setting aside a day to honor our veterans originated after the end of World War I, when President Woodrow Wilson recognized November 11, 1919, as Armistice Day. On that day a year earlier, fighting had ceased between the Allied nations and Germany. In 1954, Congress changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day to include all American veterans.
Communities across Mississippi celebrate Veterans Day each year with parades and school programs remembering our heroes. Stories of sacrifice and valor reaffirm the love of country and selfless service that have defined our veterans throughout history. Preserving this history is important to Mississippi’s proud military tradition and our future generations of patriots.
In our state, military tributes are not limited to a single day. Because of distinguished events like the Gulf Coast’s annual Salute to the Military – which just celebrated its 34th year – Mississippians have earned an admired reputation for their support and gratitude.
Earlier this year, I was able to visit the Tupelo Veterans Museum for the dedication of artifacts that my staff helped transfer from Washington to Tupelo. A World War II radio and signaling equipment join the museum’s impressive collection of memorabilia dating from the Civil War to present day. Although we may never fully understand the experiences of our veterans, places like the Tupelo Veterans Museum offer a profound glimpse of the cost of freedom.
The contributions of our military personnel to disaster relief and humanitarian assistance should not be overlooked during our appreciation this Veterans Day. Recovery efforts along the East Coast in the wake of Hurricane Sandy have showcased the extraordinary capabilities of our federal and state military units as first responders. In addition to supporting clean-up efforts, the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and National Guard have provided much-needed fuel, meals, blankets, generators, and medical services to devastated areas.
Mississippians are taking part in meaningful ways, including the use of C-27J Spartan aircraft from the 186th Air Refueling Wing at Key Field in Meridian. These aircraft can transport large numbers of personnel and supplies to locations that may be difficult to access by other means of transportation. Similarly, Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 in Gulfport are being utilized to remove debris.
The future of America’s military capabilities will be in the spotlight in the coming weeks as the deadline nears for across-the-board defense cuts to take effect. Unless current law is changed, most defense programs will be cut by 9.4 percent – severely compromising our military readiness and national security. The impact would affect training, troop levels, and the quality of military equipment that our soldiers need to fulfill their missions. Preventing these debilitating cuts is an urgent priority that Congress must achieve before the end of the year.
The remarkable legacy we celebrate on Veterans Day serves as an important reminder of what is at stake in the tough decisions ahead. Just as our veterans responded to the call of duty, Washington must respond to the call for purposeful action and results.
The idea of setting aside a day to honor our veterans originated after the end of World War I, when President Woodrow Wilson recognized November 11, 1919, as Armistice Day. On that day a year earlier, fighting had ceased between the Allied nations and Germany. In 1954, Congress changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day to include all American veterans.
Keeping History Alive
Communities across Mississippi celebrate Veterans Day each year with parades and school programs remembering our heroes. Stories of sacrifice and valor reaffirm the love of country and selfless service that have defined our veterans throughout history. Preserving this history is important to Mississippi’s proud military tradition and our future generations of patriots.
In our state, military tributes are not limited to a single day. Because of distinguished events like the Gulf Coast’s annual Salute to the Military – which just celebrated its 34th year – Mississippians have earned an admired reputation for their support and gratitude.
Earlier this year, I was able to visit the Tupelo Veterans Museum for the dedication of artifacts that my staff helped transfer from Washington to Tupelo. A World War II radio and signaling equipment join the museum’s impressive collection of memorabilia dating from the Civil War to present day. Although we may never fully understand the experiences of our veterans, places like the Tupelo Veterans Museum offer a profound glimpse of the cost of freedom.
Supporting Disaster Relief
The contributions of our military personnel to disaster relief and humanitarian assistance should not be overlooked during our appreciation this Veterans Day. Recovery efforts along the East Coast in the wake of Hurricane Sandy have showcased the extraordinary capabilities of our federal and state military units as first responders. In addition to supporting clean-up efforts, the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and National Guard have provided much-needed fuel, meals, blankets, generators, and medical services to devastated areas.
Mississippians are taking part in meaningful ways, including the use of C-27J Spartan aircraft from the 186th Air Refueling Wing at Key Field in Meridian. These aircraft can transport large numbers of personnel and supplies to locations that may be difficult to access by other means of transportation. Similarly, Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 in Gulfport are being utilized to remove debris.
Preventing Drastic Defense Cuts
The future of America’s military capabilities will be in the spotlight in the coming weeks as the deadline nears for across-the-board defense cuts to take effect. Unless current law is changed, most defense programs will be cut by 9.4 percent – severely compromising our military readiness and national security. The impact would affect training, troop levels, and the quality of military equipment that our soldiers need to fulfill their missions. Preventing these debilitating cuts is an urgent priority that Congress must achieve before the end of the year.
The remarkable legacy we celebrate on Veterans Day serves as an important reminder of what is at stake in the tough decisions ahead. Just as our veterans responded to the call of duty, Washington must respond to the call for purposeful action and results.
