Honoring our Veterans and Their Families Across America
By Paul Vallely
MG US Army (Ret)
November 10, 2009
The 11th of November is remembered as the day when the First World War officially ended, with the signing of the Armistice by the Germans – on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 1918; certainly a whole lot of 11s to make this significant day difficult to forget.
Initially, the day was commemorated as Armistice Day, as proclaimed by the President of the United States Woodrow Wilson in 1919, a year after the historic day.
As other wars since the First World War came and went, it became apparent that there are other veterans that need to be remembered other than those who served in World War I that ended on Armistice Day.
It was a shoe store owner from Emporia, Kansas, Al King, who came up with the idea to expand the reach of Armistice Day to include all American veterans, regardless of which war they fought in. President Dwight Eisenhower signed this inclusion into a law on May 26, 1954, and on November 8 that same year, Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day.
On Veterans Day weekend, one might want to commemorate the sacrifices of our beloved American our beloved “Heroes” by taking time to enrich our knowledge on the lives that they lead and the challenges that they face. We love and cherish them so for their sacrifices and their service across the globe.
I will be joining Wayne Newton and John Dawson in Phoenix this week to celebrate and honor our Veterans. My wife, Muffin, daughter Dana and I celebrate our SON, Scott, on this day whom we lost in Special Forces in April 2004.
I would like to tell you a little bit about my son, who I am very proud, love and miss to very much. Which I title:
A True American Hero
Private First Class Scott Paul Vallely was an Infantryman assigned to Company D, Support Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he was attending the Special Forces Preparation Course.
On March 13, 1975, Scott came into the world on an unusually snowy day at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California . He grew up and graduated from high school in Lafayette, California. Scott was an outstanding athlete in many sports, and ultimately received a football scholarship to Colorado State University. After college, he began a career in the media field, then made the decision to join the United States Army and to serve his country.
He entered the Army in October 2003 and completed Infantry Advance Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 2004. He was then assigned to 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment (Airborne) where he attended the Basic Airborne Course.
His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge and the Rifle Marksmanship Badge.
Not only was Scott a loving grandson, son and brother, but a true friend to everyone he met. He is at peace and we thank God for watching over him and all of us.
PSALM 91
We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods.
This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he rescues you from every trap and protects you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor. Now you don’t need to be afraid of the dark any more, nor fear the dangers of the day; nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning.
Though a thousand fall at my side, though ten thousand are dying around me, the evil will not touch me. I will see how the wicked are punished, but I will not share it. For Jehovah is my refuge! I choose the God above all gods to shelter me. How then can evil overtake me or any plague come near? For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will steady you with their hands to keep you from stumbling against the rocks on the trail. You can safely meet a lion or step on poisonous snakes, yes, even trample them beneath your feet!
For the Lord says, “Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in my name. When he calls on me, I will answer; I will be with him in trouble and rescue him and honor him. I will satisfy him with a full life and give him my salvation.”
God be with them ALL. Rest easy………
Published by Stand Up America
Source: Soldiers Memorial Fund