Veterans day 2018

I often try to write something on these momentous days in our history.  Today is veterans Day, which as I have written before, commemorates for most of us, the end to WWI.

Veterans Day marks the signing of the armistice, or treaty, that brought an end to hostilities after the first world War.

It's date and name, however, has been messed with over the years. Originally, November 11th, it has been changed to try to accommodate three day weekends or other changes thought to be good. Eventually it came back to the original day. It has, also, been called Armistice Day and Remembrance Day at one time or another.

As you read this, I will be in Arizona in a suburb of Phoenix, called Anthem.

Anthem has constructed a memorial that honors and commemorates all who have served in our armed forces. In fact, I have written about it before on this site. You can find that post if you click on Arizona to the left and scroll back a bit to find it.

What is different this year, is that I am going to witness a unique feature of the memorial as it actually happens.

The five stele representing the service of all branches of our military have had a hole drilled through each of them in such a way that it serves as a portal for the sun.

At 11 minutes after 11, on the 11th day of the 11th month, the sun pours through the openings to illuminate The Great Seal of the United States which is an integral part of the plaza surrounding the memorial which, usually, is in shadow created by the stele. But, for these few minutes at this time, on this day, in this month it shines brightly.

2018 is the 100th anniversary of the signing of the treaty ending the war that was supposed to have been "...the war to end all wars!"

I expect to encounter huge crowds this year, so I may or may not be able to actually photograph the event properly, but more important, to me, is to just be there.

I will keep you posted about my success here and in trying to capture a few more Vietnam memorials in the state.

Also. this is good place to remind you that Veterans Day honors all who have served, 57 million-ish.

Memorial Day, in May, honors those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, 1.1 million approximately.

Armed Forces Day, in May, honors those currently serving, 2 million give or take.

All of these numbers are approximations for a variety of reason.

So, today is about the end of WWI, or its about all who served, whichever, take a moment to remember the service and sacrifice of the very few.

Join me, next time in Wyoming for a post from a VA Medical Center, see you there, as always at 9:00am. on the 16th.

To see additional memorials from Arizona, or any other state, click on the state name on the left side of this page.