SOCIETY
OF THE FIFTH DIVISION, US ARMY EUROPE
ČESKOSLOVENSKÁ
OBEC LEGIONÁŘSKÁ
CZECH
VETERANS ASSOCIATION
EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL VETERANS OF
FOREIGN WARS
VETERANS DAY
11 November
1918 – 2006
88th
Anniversary of remembrance for all who have died
Department of Veterans Affairs
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/
An occasion to pay tribute to
soldiers who died for a better world in the two wars of the 20th
century is offered on Veterans Day ( popular name for Remembrance Day),
celebrated on Sunday nearest to 11 November. Veterans Day takes place on
the 11th of November every year. Veterans Day is celebrated in many countries
with parades and celebrations. During these celebrations, placing of wreaths, a
bugler sounds “Taps” followed by many veterans groups who march and carry flags
in parades.
Veterans
Day takes place on the 11th because in 1918 at 11 a.m., World War I ended. That
was the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. That day became known as
Armistice Day but the peace did not last and a Second World War broke out. With
many other wars that have followed, the latest one, being the war on terrorism.
HERITAGE OF THE
GREAT WAR
Today around the world many
veterans organization have taken the poem to heart written by an medical doctor
during WWI, a Colonel in the Canadian Army and surgeon Col. John McCrae, wrote
about his experience of what his eyes had seen on the battlefield, blood and death and
burying the dead that has lead the poppy flower to become the memorial flower.
During World War I in northwestern
Belgium where one of the bloodiest battles was fought at Flanders with the only
one thing that survived were the wild poppies.
http://www.greatwar.nl/frames/default-poppies.html
In Flanders Fields
Written in 1915 by Col. John McCrae
In Flanders fields the
poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days
ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the
foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who
die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields
Here recently members of the
army of the Czech Republic through joint task participate with other veterans
organizations who participate in Veterans Day ceremonies here in the Czech
Republic and other governmental officials have been wearing the Remembrance
flower during Veterans Day ceremonies, officially there has not been adopted a
remembrance flower due to funds needed to implement the program here in the
Czech Republic.
Československá
Obec Legionářská and Czech Veterans Association
The Československá obec legionářská, veterans of
Czechoslovakia who’s participation begin as the Československá obec
legionářská, with traditions that date back to World War One (1914-1918),
World War Two (1939-1945) and continues today with veterans from the “Czech
Veterans Association” (1993), as members of NATO.
Remembrance flower provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States
Kaiserslautern,
VFW Post 10614 and Zirndorf / Nurnberg, VFW Post
10708
Fifth Infantry Division, United States Army Europe
The Fifth Infantry Division and the ending of World War I, the "Red Devils” Or
also known as the "Devils in baggy pants" are helping to lead the way with traditions and military
history that runs parallel with that of veterans of the Czech Republic, who
have many historical values that were created during the First World War, liberation
of Czechoslovakia during World War II, and continues today as the Society of
the Fifth Division, United States Army, Europe.
The
American Soldier, 1918
The
American Soldier, 1945
http://www.army.mil/cmh/art/P-P/AS-2/1945.htm
Men of the 5th Infantry and 4th Armored Division
Who fought as
teammates in Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.'s Third Army
The objects of the Society of the Fifth Division, United
States Army, are to perpetuate and memorialize the valiant acts and patriotic
deeds of the Fifth Division, to electrify and unify that invisible current of
fellowship and comradeship molded in the throes of war and the exigencies of
peacetime service; to promote the interests and welfare of the members of the
Society , to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America; to
perpetuate and foster true Americanism to assist worthy comrades; and to
preserve the historical records of the Fifth Division in war and peace.
Society associate member Miroslav Kraus is the owner of the
only Jeep with Fifth Infantry Division markings in the Czech Republic. Mr.
Kraus is one of the original members of the military car club of Plzen that
begin in 1990. He has owned the Jeep for over twenty four years, being the
fourth owner.1941 (MA) Willis JEEP. This Jeep was one of early models that had
US Army manufactures numbers in blue painted on the hood of the Jeep.
CZECH VETERANS
ASSOICATION
Society of the Fifth Division, US
Army and Czech Veterans Association
Veterans working together asking
not what their country can do for them, but what can they do as veterans for
better relationships and cultural
understanding as to traditions
and other veteran’s related affairs through education and promoting the needs
of veteran’s here in the heart of Europe.
SOCIETY OF THE FIFTH DIVISION,
US ARMY EUROPE
General Patton’s Elementary School and statue
Dýšina, Czech Republic
Public solicitation for financial support
To establish the Remembrance Flower in the Czech Republic
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP?
Today around the world many
veterans organization have taken the poem to heart written by a medical doctor
while in France during WWI. A Colonel in
the Canadian Army and surgeon Col. John McCrae wrote about his experience of
what his eyes had seen. Blood and death that has lead the poppy flower to
become the memorial flower, known here in Europe where they blow between white
crosses in the cemeteries row after row. Col. John McCrae’s, poem known around
the world in Canada, Australia, Britain, United States and many other countries,
but unfortunately not here in the Czech Republic.
But here recently the memorial flower being worn by members
of parliament here in the Czech Republic and by members of the army of the
Czech Republic through their joint combine memorial ceremonies that they
participate in when requested with other countries such as the United States.
Officially there isn’t any Remembrance flower nor has one been adopted due to
the funds needed to implement the Remembrance flower program here in the Czech
Republic.
The Society of the Fifth
Division, US Army, Europe, has taken this to heart to help with the
implementation of establishing the memorial flower by seeking donators who are
urgently needed for financial support to make this memorial flower reality for
veterans and citizens of the Czech Republic. Your kind support would be greatly
appreciated this would give great honor to all who have made the ultimate
sacrifice and by those who have died given service to their countries call.
Army of the Czech Republic, Československá obec
legionářská and Czech Veterans Association
Information for financial
donations to help with the Remembrance Flower (Vlčí máky) can be addressed to the Československá obec legionářská Fund: LTC. Ing. Ladislav Sornas sornas@legionar.org
All donations must be with a donations form provided by the
Československá obec legionářská Fund.
Your
kind help is greatly appreciated for helping to establish the remembrance
flower.
Memories shared on days of
recognition for veterans, veterans do it with pride “Led by love of Country”,
being entrusted with the stewardship to carry on memories for the many spirits,
who gave so much through human sacrifice, lost of life and mental scares as the
result of their patriotic service to military actions throughout history, as
keepers and guardsman for our military history. Veterans working together
maintaining torches of freedom for all who have died for their remembrance
never to be forgotten. From page one of lessons learned “The Grandfather of all
Wars”. The ending of World War One (1919), with quotes to have been quoted as: the
"Great War" or the "War to End all Wars", was the most
dramatic event that shaped the rest of the 20th Century; then, World War II
came along and created the world we live in today.
Now
with many wars later, governmental changes within different governments
leaderships around the world.
Governments may change but
changing facts about veterans who have given of themselves to the call of
service to their country’s defense of their perspective country can never be
changed.
The American War Library
ALL VETERANS: Wear Your
True Color This Veteran's Day
All Veterans of all
Nations are asked to wear one of your military ribbons this Veterans Day
Display your support of your nation's military personnel
A
website has been established to assist veterans desiring to display their
pride. Subjects include:
Where To Wear Your Military
Color
Clothing
The Military Medal Ribbon Should Not Be Worn On; When Military Medal Ribbons
Should Be Worn; Which Military Medal Ribbon Should You Select for Daily Wear.
REFERENCES:
How
To Wear A Military Ribbon on civilian clothing http://www.amervets.com/mypride/index.htm
Military Medal Order of Precedence
http://members.aol.com/warlibrary/display
Contact Person for this website:
Roger
Simpson,
Public
Information Office 13105320634.com (http://www.13105320634.com) The American War
Library amervets.com (http://www.amervets.com) Building Two, 16907
Brighton Avenue Gardena CA 90247-5420
1-310-532-0634
VETERANS BILL OF RIGHTS
Click to sign-up for Veterans Bill of
Rights
Acknowledgements to:
Society of the Fifth Division, US Army
Československá Obec Legionářská
Czech Veterans Association
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
U.S. Army Center of Military History
Freedom Team Salute, Headquarters Department of the
US Army
The American War Library
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Military. Com
As a special thanks to our Nation's veterans, the Army would like to
send a Freedom Team Salute to veterans for their dedicated service and
continued support of today's Soldiers. Sign up today and the Army will send you
a Freedom Team Salute Commendation, which includes an Army lapel pin, an Army
decal, and a certificate and letter of appreciation signed by the Secretary of
the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army. All material is provided at no
cost to either the nominator or the recipient. To nominate yourself or another
Army veteran get the details by visiting www.freedomteamsalute.com
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