“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”
- President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
Veterans Day, formerly know as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, then known as “The Great War.” The war officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. Fighting ceased, however, seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied Nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918 is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “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 with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us, and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress, at the urging of the American Legion and other veterans organizations, amended the holiday by replacing the word “Armistice” with the word “Veterans.” On June 1, 1954 November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Joe Brown was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. He played college football at Ohio State, and then made his way onto the Seattle Seahawks team where he played from 2001-03. The defensive lineman enjoyed his time on the field, but he had a nagging feeling that he should be doing something else.
“I felt like joining the military was something I needed to do,” said Brown, now 34. His father had a 26-year career as an Air Force fighter pilot and his grandfather died in a prisoner of war camp during the Korean War. So he joined the Army and became a Ranger, going to Iraq the first time in 2004.
Once back home, Brown decided to get his master’s degree while he was still in the Army and then return to the NFL. But by March of 2007, Brown was back in Baghdad for a year-long deployment. Five months into his tour, he was atop a three-story building calling in airstrikes. As his team was headed down off the roof, Brown fell through a 30-foot stair shaft. He shredded his calf and landed on his face, causing severe brain bleeding. His injuries ended his NFL career.
Today, Brown is athletic coordinator for the Harker Heights Parks and Recreation Department. Wheelchair basketball, hand cycling, and rock climbing are just a few of the sports now offered to disabled residents and veterans. Brown says it’s important that the wounded know they are wanted and needed in the community.
“So many of these guys feel broken,” Brown said. “The more community based programs we offer them, the better off they will be. Sports programs are good mental outlets.”
“Joe is an amazing human being,” Harker Heights Mayor Ed Mullen told the (Austin, Texas) American-Statesman. He’s something out of a Hollywood movie.”
Pfc. Jason Estopinal, a member of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, was killed February 16, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The young man from Paulding County, Georgia, had a simple dream – to get a Jeep when he came home. It didn’t happen until last week, more than a year after his death, when his parents won the lottery.
Jason’s father, also named Jason, said that shortly after his son’s death, one of his platoon-mates wrote to say his son had plans to buy a Jeep when he got back from Afghanistan. Because of this wish, his parents take special meaning in their October win in the Georgia Lottery, where they won a new Jeep and $25,000.00
Jason’s mother, Clair, said she believes her son was with her when she bought the winning ticket. “Mostly it’s a reminder of him,” the Marine’s father said. “Looking at the Jeep is a reminder that he’s still with us.”
Holy Smoke, an Alabama company launched by two game wardens, is attracting interest from service members, police, hunters, and other firearms enthusiasts for its unusual funeral offer. In what company owners say is not so different from spreading a loved one’s ashes in a favorite place, the company will add cremated remains to ammunition so the departed can go out with a real bang, numerous bangs, in fact. A pound of cremated ashes is enough to fill about 250 shotgun shells, according to a Reuters report. I don’t know about any of you readers, but I’m in! That is exactly my style!
Law enforcement officers that are veterans are continuing the service to this country, and to our communities that we started while in the military. That is one of the reasons that every member of our Department that is a veteran should join the San Francisco Police-Fire Post of the American Legion. We are very anxious to have our newer veterans join the post, especially the female veterans who are very under-represented. Meetings are on the second Tuesday of every month at the Veteran’s WarMemorial Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 212. Meetings start at 1800 hours.
Semper Fidelis, Pfc. Jason Estopinal, Rest in Peace!
