Command Sgt. Maj. James G. Shaheen
USAG Command Sgt. Major
Greetings to the Fort Detrick Community. November is a busy month and I hope you can take time to participate in some of the events planned on the installation this month.
On Nov. 18 we celebrated Native American Heritage Month at the New Community Activities Center bld 1520 A at 11:30 a.m., Nov. 19, we have the Community Dinner at the Post Chapel and finally Thanksgiving is on Thursday 26 November.
Also this month we celebrate Veteran’s Day. Formerly Armistice Day, Veteran’s Day is a holiday observed annually in the United States in honor of all those, living and dead, who served with the U.S. armed forces.
Armistice Day, the forerunner of Veteran’s Day, was proclaimed in 1919 to commemorate the termination (at 11 am on Nov. 11, 1918) of World War I. On the first anniversary of the truce, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation eulogizing fallen Allied soldiers and referring to November 11 as Armistice Day.
It became a holiday in the U.S., France, Great Britain and Canada. The holiday acquired its present name and broadened significance in the U.S. in 1954. In Canada it is known as Remembrance Day, and in Great Britain, as Remembrance Sunday.
World I was called the Great War and our Veterans of World War II have been called the Greatest Generation.
I do not dispute these titles but I think that all of our Veterans past, present and future are a part of great generations. I recently had the opportunity to talk to a student assembly at Boonsboro High School and I reminded them that our Veterans have paved a road for their future and that the best way to honor them is to make a commitment to service.
Serving their families, their community and their Nation with pride and honor in their chosen career path will make an impact on future generations. I am a fan of the Greatest Generation but a proud supporter of our Latest Generation and I ask that as we remember the contributions of our veterans this month that we also think about those following in their footsteps to lead us in the years to come.
These young people have a great history behind them and a great future ahead. I wish all of our Veterans a Happy Veterans Day and I thank you for your service.
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