Veterans Day.
Sometimes we forget the true meaning of this national holiday. But I assure you, veterans do not. So let's take a moment to remember how this day came to be set aside to honor America's greatest national treasures.
In 1918, on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, World War I formally ended when the Armistice with Germany took effect. A year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as Armistice Day ~ a day to remember those who had given their lives in the "war to end all wars" and the victory + peace that was obtained by their sacrifice.
After World War II, most countries changed the holiday's name to include veterans of subsequent wars. While many European nations utilized the name Remembrance Day, in America it became All Veterans Day, later shortened to just Veterans Day to honor all military veterans.
Veterans Day is unique because while Remembrance Day is dedicated to the fallen veterans, our national holiday honors both the living, the fallen and those who have passed from causes other than war.
It is a day to honor, to thank and to celebrate our nation's Willing Warriors from every generation.
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* The iconic photo taken of Joseph Ambrose, WWI Veteran, at the Viet Nam Memorial Dedication parade in 1982.
The 86 year old is holding the flag that covered the casket of his son who was killed in Korea.
The picture epitomizes who we honor. And why. |
Serve Our Willing Warriors remembered, honored and celebrated our Willing Warriors + Their Families all weekend long with community partners and events. Here are scenes from the weekend.
On Saturday, November 9, we had SOWW teams spreading throughout three local communities, Warrenton, Manassas + Delaplane, to attend and host events to honor our veterans.
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Running for Combat-Wounded Warriors in Warrenton, VA
Holy Trinity Church of Gainesville, VA, graciously sponsored a Benefit 5K/10K Run Run in honor of our country's combat-wounded warriors. The event was located at The Inn at Vint Hill with all proceeds benefiting our local wounded warriors through the outreach work of Serve Our Willing Warriors.
The temperature stood at a frigid 28 degrees as many people began to arrive at 7:30 - 8:00am. Heavy coats, hats, gloves and earmuffs were the "standard issue" attire for the chilly November morning. With tingling ears and red noses, more than 200 runners fell into line to check-in and collect their numbered race bibs and timing chips. The runners + joggers + walkers ranged in age from about 4 years old to more than 80 years young. In some cases, complete families actively participated, including babes in strollers and dogs in tow! Now that is 'community' at its patriotic best!
Fortunately, the day
warmed up just as the race began. The sun was shinning brightly and spirits were running
high.
Smiles,
cheers, and refreshing bottles of water greeted everyone at the finish line. SOWW’s founder and president, Shirley
Dominick, just so happened to win an award in the women’s category for the
5K competition. Congratulations to
Shirley, a veteran + a true leader in every way!
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| As the runners streamed in,
the younger participants were greeted and presented with medals of merit for
completing the run. |
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| The close-knit SOWW Team . . . (or maybe they are just cold!) Left to right: Shirley Dominick, Taania Hendrix, Debbie Shifflette, Tom Roselius (in back), Chip Chase + Jackie Glenn |
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The day
was an overwhelming success - thanks to the leadership of Wendy Cox, who did a
superb job of organizing the event.
All of us at SOWW give Wendy a big “Shout Out”. You would never have guessed this was
the very first 5K / 10K event she ever organized. We really want to thank everyone at Holy Trinity as well as Reverend Thomas P. Vander Woude. We are very grateful they chose our organization's work as a great cause to support. We hope to partner with Holy Trinity again in the future to
support our country’s very special military families.
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Marching for Our Veterans in Manassas
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Joanne Hilliard & Diane Naso representing Serve Our Willing Warriors in The Fifth Annual Greater Manassas Veterans Day Parade.
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| Diane manning the SOWW table to get the word out about SOWW + Bull Run Warrior Retreat! |
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Toasting Our Veterans in Delaplane, VA
The
final SOWW fundraising event of the year was held later in the evening at the
lovely Barrel Oak Winery in Delaplane, VA. SOWW hosted a registered guest “after hours” event
headlining the live band Envee.
The evening was spent mingling with friends, tasting wine and dancing to
the classic rock tunes that Envee is known for. Proceeds from the event will go toward the renovation of the
Bull Run Warrior Retreat which is the heart + soul (mission + vision) of
Serve Our Willing Warriors.
The highlight of the night was a well-appointed silent auction that included multiple one-week
vacations, jewelry, fine art and a host of Wizards court-side seats auctioned in
the “live” auction. Overall the evening was a great success and a good time was
had by all.
Smiles were in abundance as folks toasted our great country, its freedoms, and the awesome men + women in our military that have kept this nation strong and secure.
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| Some extra-special guests ~ A couple of Manassas Therapy Dogs + Friends |
Stay tuned oenophiles! Planning
is already in place for 2014!
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Monday ~ November 11, 2013
Welcoming Veterans + Visitors to Bull Run Warrior Retreat in Haymarket, VA
After a whirlwind weekend of events + a couple of church presentations, members of SOWW spent a peaceful autumn day welcoming visitors to an Open House at Bull Run Warrior Retreat. Guests were given tours of the property and had the chance to ask questions or sign up as future volunteers or partners.
People are always amazed at the beauty and tranquility of the property. The vision of a "home away from home" for our Warriors + Families is pretty easy to convey when you stand looking out over the pastures with the beautiful mountain foothills rising up in the distance. The retreat has a special spirit and people sense it as soon as they pull up into the driveway.
At the end of the day, people left with the desire to be a part of the vision of Bull Run Warrior Retreat. We are excited that the community of supporters is growing. When we have our first Warrior Family stay at this home, we want them to know that it wasn't provided by just a "few", but that it was the tangible thanks that came from "many".
At Bull Run Warrior Retreat every day will be Veterans Day!
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* Photo of Veteran Joseph Ambrose, courtesy of US Census Bureau.
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