Through An 'Old Timer's' Eyes
By Howard 'Mac' McDonald

On Sunday, we pause to observe Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day.

It came about with the end of World War I, which temporarily stopped the hostilities between Germany and the Allies. The armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of Nov. 1918.

On Nov. 11, 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory . . ."

The original concept was for the suspension of business for a two- minute period beginning at 11 a.m. In many communities, the day was also marked by parades and public gatherings.

Today, if the holiday falls close to a weekend, some don't just take two minutes to pause and reflect; they get a three-day pass.

On the second anniversary (1920), France and the United Kingdom held ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war. In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson named the Sunday nearest Nov. 11 as "Armistice Day Sunday," on which services should be held on topics of international peace.

How far we have drifted from the original foundations. Today, with radical Islamists out to eliminate the Christians or destroy America, you don't hear one word about the war in Iraq from the pulpit.

In 1921, Congress established a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, with Nov. 11 as the date of the ceremony. Thus, Nov. 11, 1921, became an official federal holiday to honor all those who participated in war. The ceremony is still conducted there today.

World War I was supposed to be the "war to end all wars." But World War II made that look like a skirmish.

Today, we hear the sad news about hundreds of WWII veterans dying every day across the great nation. I don't think there are any WWI vets still alive.

In 1954, President Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name to Veterans Day. I believe that this was the right thing to do. We have created a lot of veterans over the years since 1918 and they should all be honored.

November is always a busy month. Nov. 4 was the end of daylight savings time and election day rolled in on Nov. 6.

Veterans Day is Nov. 11, which makes it easy for me to remember our 57th wedding anniversary. I am a veteran in more ways than one but my wife is the one who deserves a medal.

On Nov. 22 comes Thanksgiving and then the hunters start acting strangely, since we have a full moon on Nov. 24, with deer season opening on Monday, Nov. 26.

More businesses than ever are jumping the gun on Christmas. This year has gone by so quickly and I haven't got all things I wanted to do in 2006 done yet. Maybe I can catch up in 2008.

With the price of gas soaring, I suspect a lot of people won't be able to have a very merry Christmas. I guess we will be eating more beans, as we need the gas.

Election day has come and gone. Let's hope the new people heading into office don't have an axe to grind and they work for the good of the people.

As my mother used to say, "Be patient son, as time will tell."