Veteran's Day 2012

Today, I attended a very special Veteran's Day.  I went to an old cemetery on a side road that had the remains of veterans from the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Mexican-American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.  The cemetery was Fairfield Cemetery in Ela Township of Lake County, Illinois.  Archaeological research had been done on the cemetery in 2009 to verify and complete records for 760 gravesites with 432 of them identified.

Several speeches were given by various community leaders and a Naval officer.  What struck me the most was the number of veterans from all of those wars in that small cemetery.  If I remember correctly from the speech, one of the veterans had been 16 years old when he went to the Korean War.  It was also noted that this is the 200th year anniversay of the War of 1812.  It was noted by the Naval officer that the saying "wooden ships and men of iron" referred to the actual wooden ships of the time period and the stamina, bravery, and resolve of the men who fought for our country.  He mentioned one July battle that went on for 52 hours straight.

Much has been given to establish this country and ensure our rights and prosperity.  Much has been given to protect our borders (all though our south border has some issues, today).  Many other graves of mothers and fathers and daughters and sons were with those veterans. 

Many Americans today are very concerned about the state and direction of where our country is and is going.  But I remember talking to a Vietnam vet awhile back with the same concerns and he told me, "you will have America as long as you want it and are willing to fight for it."

Here are some pictures from the ceremony and from the American Legion Post 964 and VFW Post 11020:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Rita Jean Moran (www.thelibrarykids.com)