Thank You, Frater!
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Offices of the Grand Chapter would like to extend a sincere Thank You to all Fraters in the armed services protecting freedoms we all hold dear. The TKE Nation is blessed to have such outstanding men in the world's military forces. As seen on the front page and to the right, Canadian Frater Kyle Tennant (Tau-Omega, Carleton Univ.) and others are showing their Teke pride as they serve at home and abroad.
Associate Regional Director and Staff Sergeant Nate Lehman (Theta-Iota, Northern Michigan Univ.) is a veteran of the Iraq conflict in 2003. Though he is on TKE's staff, he is still an active member of the Michigan National Guard. Frater Nate said his service and membership in TKE have paralleled each other in some amazing ways.
"When I look at how my experience serving in the Army compares to my experience in TKE, I first think of the stated values of each organization," said Frater Nate. "I see these in my daily life while working with our chapters throughout North America. Although these values are not the ones that are present in our ritual, it makes me that much more proud to be a part of these two organizations and to know that our members are out there doing the right things, for the right reasons, and many times for little or no recognition at all. They do them because they enjoy doing it and know that it is simply the right thing to do."
Frater Nate (seen on left) said he has had several moving moments, but few compare to his return from overseas service. "The day after I came home from Iraq, a number of my friends pulled up in my driveway to welcome me home and spend the weekend with me. These friends weren't the ones that lived just down the road from me or the ones that I had grown up with, they were my Fraternity brothers who had taken time off from their summer jobs, ditched their girl friends, and drove four hours through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which ultimately resulted in a few getting lost trying to find my house. But for my parents, that was the day they really realized what this whole "Fraternity thing" was all about."
United States Marine Lee Baker (Lambda-Iota, Florida State Univ.) has similar sentiments about this day. "It is important to have a day of recognition for those that have sacrificed their own well-being entering into harms way in order to protect our liberties. People need to remember that soldiers are sent to various parts of the world as part of their duty, not because they personally feel a conflict is right or wrong. You can hate the war, but don't hate the warrior."
Several countries observe Veteran's Day differently than the United States and on distinct days. However, November 11th is a day designed to honor both present and past members of military service. So what's the story behind it?
United States of America
World War I - known at the time as "The Great War" - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased 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 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 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."
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m.
An Act approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation's history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
The observance of Veterans Day on November 11 preserves the historical significance of the date and helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Canada and Beyond
In Canada, November 11th is known as Remembrance Day, a federal holiday.
The official national ceremonies are held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, presided over by the Governor General of Canada, any members of the Canadian Royal Family, the Prime Minister, and other dignitaries, to the observance of the public.
Typically, these events begin with the tolling of the Carillon in the Peace Tower, during which serving members of the Canadian Forces arrive at Confederation Square, followed by the Ottawa diplomatic corps, Ministers of the Crown, special guests, the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL), the vice-regal party, and, if present, the royal party.
The arrival of the Governor General is announced by a trumpeter sounding the "Still," whereupon the viceroy is met by the Dominion President of the RCL and escorted to a dais to receive the Vice-Regal Salute, after which the national anthem, "O Canada," is then played. The moment of remembrance begins with the bugling of "Last Post" immediately before 11:00 am, at which time the gun salute fires and the bells of the Peace Tower toll the hour. Another gun salute signals the end of the two minutes of silence, and cues the playing of a lament, and then the bugling of "The Rouse." A flyover of Canadian Air Command craft then occurs at the start of a 21 gun salute, upon the completion of which a choir sings "In Flanders Fields." The various parties then lay their wreaths at the base of the memorial; one wreath is set by the Silver Cross Mother, the most recent recipient of the Memorial Cross, on behalf of all mothers who lost children in any of Canada's armed conflicts. The royal and/or vice-regal group return to the dais to receive the playing of the Royal Anthem of Canada, "God Save the Queen," prior to the assembled Armed Forces personnel and veterans performing a March Past in front of the royal and/or viceregal persons, bringing about the end of the official ceremonies. A tradition of paying more personal tribute to the sacrifice of those who have served and lost their lives in defense of the country has emerged since erection of the The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the War Memorial in 2000. After the official ceremony the general public pay their respects by placing their poppies atop the Tomb.
"Remembrance Day" is the primary designation for the day in many Commonwealth countries such as Australia and Canada. However, "Armistice Day" also remains, often to differentiate the event from Remembrance Sunday, and is the primary designation used in New Zealand and France. "Poppy Day" is also a popular term used, particularly in Malta and South Africa. Veterans Day also falls upon this day in the United States, yet many other allied nations have quite different Veterans Days.
Have you served or are serving currently in the Armed Services? TKE wants to know. Email Director of Communication, Tom McAninch (Beta-Xi, Arizona State Univ.).