[Lew Silverman]

Growing up in the 1950's, our parents called it "Armistice Day", to commemorate the cease-fire that was declared at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. The First World War officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed.



Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine and Coast Guardsman took the following oath (or one very similar to it) -



"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).


In other words, they signed a check, payable with their lives, to defend this great Nation. We owe them everything.


1SG Lewis W. Silverman (Army of the United States - Retired)
1967-1973 US Coast Guard
1976-2008 US Army