The holiday season begins

  • Published
  • By Col. Gregory Eckfeld
  • 442d Fighter Wing Vice Commander
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  This month we will celebrate two very important national holidays: Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. These two holidays actually complement each other.

Veterans Day honors all American men and women who served in the armed services throughout our nation's history. Veteran's day dates back to WWI when the fighting ceased after an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between Allied nations and Germany. It went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is regarded as the end of "the war to end all wars" and the first Veterans Day.

On November 1919 President Wilson proclaimed during the commemoration of Veterans 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." This holiday provides us an opportunity to reflect on patriots who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. It is also important in my mind because military members understand what service is about and the sacrifice required, not only of our military, but of our families.

Thanksgiving is exactly that, a time to give thanks for what you have but it also marks the beginning of what started this great nation of ours. It dates back to 1621 when Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast organized by Governor William Bradford and the fledgling colony's Native American allies. In 1863, during the midst of the Civil War, a national "Thanksgiving Day" was proclaimed by President Lincoln. The union was ultimately preserved. Without this historic outcome America would look much different and the support America provided during WWI might not have been possible.

The two holidays allow us the opportunity to relax and enjoy a couple of long weekends. They provide an opportunity to decompress, rejoin with family and have fun. If traveling, drive defensively and keep an eye out for the travelers around you. The biggest hazards on the road are distracted, tired or impaired drivers. Enjoy the time off as you spend time with family. You have all earned it! Each of you are vital to the 442d Fighter Wing family, so please be safe!  GO CHIEFS!