I like history but I often forget about historically significant dates. How about you?
I could also do better honoring the meaning of these dates. For obvious reasons, that doesn’t happen on Veterans Day or 9/11, but over the years, I usually don’t remember Pearl Harbor Day and other dates we should all pay more attention to.
This is just evidence that I – like most of you – get focused on the goals and demands of daily life.
This reflection is particularly pertinent in December – when we focus on the hustle and bustle of Christmas instead of historically significant dates.
These three dates, remind me to – once again – pause, reflect and honor service and sacrifice.
On Pearl Harbor Day, we remember 2,403 American service members who were killed and 1,178 were injured. The attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships and damaged four others. It also damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer. One hundred eighty-eight aircraft were destroyed and another 159 were damaged. Learn more, here.
December 13 is the National Guard’s birthday. It’s comprised of the Army and Air Force (not the Marines, Navy or Coastguardsmen) and is the oldest military organization in the U.S. Learn more here.
National Guardsmen have fought in every US war since 1637. On December 13, 1636, a direct declaration by the Massachusetts General Court established for the first time in the American Colonies an official militia. The resolution required that all able-bodied men from age 16 to 60 were expected to join.
After World War II, the Air National Guard was created as a component of the newly established United States Air Force.
Today, approximately at least 350,000 men and women serve in the National Guard and, since 9/11, it has become an operational force. These Soldiers and Airmen deploy into harm’s way in support of international conflict and respond to domestic natural disasters and civil disturbances.
Each December, during the National Wreaths Across America Day, citizens visit Arlington Cemetery and more than 1,400 additional locations to honor and remember those who served in defense of freedom. All are invited to sponsor a wreath, volunteer, or invite friends to help. Learn more, here.
Although Veterans Day is in the fall and Memorial Day in the spring, our service members sacrifice their time and safety every single day of the year to preserve freedom. In many homes, there is an empty seat for the one who is serving or the one who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom.
Need a Speaker? Questions? Contact Kathy@VanguardVeteran.com or 270-945-7286. Register for Vanguard Veteran’s monthly newsletter, here.
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