Letter To The Editor: Honor Our Veterans

Dear Editor,
Veterans Day commemorates the courage and patriotism of all men and women who served in the United States armed services. It is celebrated on Nov. 11. Special services are held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as Armistice Day to remind Americans of the tragedies of war, but in 1938, a law was passed to make that day a federal holiday.
In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans. To anyone that has not seen the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, the feeling that you receive by watching that soldier walk from one side to the other in a slow perfect walk in God’s grace for that propose of the unknown is unreal.
The code of conduct of all members of the U.S. Armed Forces is:
I am an American fighting in the forces that guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
Should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies.
I will never forget that I am an American fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America. (www.ausa.org/code-conduct)
To all the men and women who served in the U.S. military with our NATO allies and with the U.N. Peacekeeping Forces and most of all to our POWs and MIAs past and present, thank you for your service. May God bless you all with His hand of protection. Amen.
Sincerely,
Imogene Naylor