Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day is an official United States holiday that honors people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, also known as veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I (major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect). The United States also originally observed Armistice Day; it then evolved into the current Veterans Day holiday in 1954.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said

"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, 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."

As a veteran myself, I am intimately familiar with the sacrifices our service members past, present and future make for our country.  Without their service, I would not be sitting here today enjoying the freedom to express my opinions, feelings, frustrations and triumphs as I now do.  As imperfect as this country is in many ways, it is still my home and I will work to achieve that "more perfect union" with every fiber of my being.  So from one veteran to all the other veterans both here and  abroad, Happy Veterans Day and Thank You for Your Service. 

~~~~~(Wikipedia contributed to this post)~~~~~

Your Musical Moment for today features the Music of Franz Liszt.  In a concert recorded live at the Teatro alla Scala in 2004, Ricardo Muti conducts the Filharmoica della Scala in its performance of the Piano Concerto Number 2, R456 with Paolo Restani at the Piano.  You may also hear one of Liszt' most popular works, Hungarian Rhapsody Number 2 over on my tumblr. 

I thought about featuring sexy soldiers for today's Art in the Male Form, however I decide to go with some scrumptious morsels of muscly men to serve as Tuesday's Temptations for service members, veterans and the rest of us also.  You will find them lounging about the page below the video.  Then you will find additional temptation in the Litlle Boy Blue Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr.  Thanks for the visit, see you again soon.  Once again, Happy Veterans Day and Thank You for Your Service.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!