One hundred years ago our country was involved in World War I — the “Great War,” the “War to End All Wars.” It was the war that saw the use of the airplane, the submarine and lethal gas. It was a war that saw some 12 million lives lost — both combat troops and civilians.

That figure, by the way, is larger than the 2016 census figure for the state of North Carolina.

Fighting ceased with the signing of an armistice (simply an agreement, followed later by a treaty). That armistice took effect on the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918.

The following year, President Woodrow Wilson established Armistice Day as a national holiday, to include appropriate activities to honor those who had died. It was to be a day of prayer, remembrance and thanksgiving. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed the bill changing the name to Veterans Day in order to honor the dead of all wars. Today, we see parades, cemeteries decorated with flags, and isolated special events.

Recently, more of our military personnel have lost their lives. They all took the same oath quoted here:

“I solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God. “

Since we no longer have a draft, all our forces are volunteers. It is fitting then to take note of their patriotism, their dedication, and their bravery.

My Flag and My Brass

My flag and my brass: they stand for a vow

First made years ago, but stands fresh even now.

‘Tis the idea of freedom, and the honor of arms

And brave men who answer War’s distant alarms

 

My flag stands for country, and freedom, and more,

And she’s borne by the brave who have pride in the corps.

She can quicken your heart, bring a tear to your eye,

When she rides the first breeze of a morning’s bright sky.

 

My brass stands for honor and the duties I hold

To each one that I lead, to each life that I mold;

To defend the traditions of those gone before

And to pass on the peace of my pride in the corps.

 

So stand up, my brothers, and join hand in hand

And re-make your vow to the love of this land;

Keep the idea of freedom ever front, ever fore

With your flag, and your brass, and your pride in the corps

 

Though my brass may be tarnished, and my flag may be worn,

And my uniform tattered, I’ll not be forlorn

For the brave ever answer the shrill cry of war

With their flag, and their brass, and their pride in the corps.

— M.H. Clements

Lt. Col. USAF, Retired

Cleveland