www.va.gov
Today is Veteran’s Day so I wanted to honor our military veterans because I believe they are worthy of our honor. I come from a long line of veterans from many branches of services and I am very proud of how they have served this country to make it a better place to live. In my family I have men that have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. My son is now serving as a Marine and I couldn’t be more proud of him!
From www.va.gov:
In November 1919, President 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 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) 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 (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” which stated: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”
One of the things that makes our military so wonderful is the fitness level that they must achieve and maintain while preparing to join a branch. These men and women take their fitness level very serious. I remember watching my son prepare to leave for boot camp for the Marines. He was continually improving his fitness and endurance level, so he could pass he Physical Fitness Test BEFORE he left for boot camp. (While he was in boot camp his fitness level increased significantly!)
Here are a few fitness routines I found online to help prepare the men and women for their initial PFT, that they do BEFORE leaving for boot camp.
This one is to prepare for a Navy PFT:
Day 1
Repeat 3-4 times Pushups max reps 1 min Situps – 15-20 reps in 30 seconds 1.5 mile run warmup Repeat 2-4 times 400m run at goal pace squats – 20 lunges – 10/leg situps – 20 in 30 seconds Day 2 Run 400m – rest 5:00 / stretch Run 1.5 mile run timed Do 100 pushups and 100 situps total throughout the day Day 3 Repeat 3 times Max pushups Pace Situps 15-20 in 30 seconds Repeat 2 times 1.5 mile at close to goal pace – rest 10 minutes in between Day 4 Warm-up jog 10:00 Repeat 5 times 400m run at goal pace squats – 20 Lunges – 10/leg Do 100 pushups and 100 situps total throughout the day Day 5 Repeat 4 times Max Pushups Pace Situps 15-20 in 30 seconds Warmup Jog 5:00 1/4 mile at goal pace 1/2 mile at goal pace 3/4 mile at goal pace 1 mile at goal pace stretch / rest 2 min in between each set… Day 6 1.5 mile run warmup Repeat 3-5 times 400m run squats – 20 lunges – 10/leg Do 100 pushups and 100 situps total throughout the day Day 7 100-150 pushups and situps in as few sets as possible – no rest Repeat 4 times Run 400m run @ full speed ￂﾖ rest 2 minutes Run 1.5-2 mile run timed Day 8 3 miles at close to goal pace as possible Do 100 pushups and 100 situps total throughout the day
Day 9