R 101959Z NOV 09

ALCOAST 645/09
COMDTNOTE 1000
SUBJ:  VETERANS DAY 2009
1. ON WEDNESDAY, 11 NOVEMBER, WE WILL TAKE A SOLEMN MOMENT TO
CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY.  THIS ANNUAL HOLIDAY STARTED AS ARMISTICE
DAY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE END OF WORLD WAR I AT THE 11TH HOUR, OF THE
11TH DAY OF THE 11TH MONTH, 1918. IN 1926, THE CONGRESS FORMALLY
ESTABLISHED 11 NOVEMBER AS ARMISTICE DAY IN HONOR OF WORLD WAR I
VETERANS. IN 1954, PRESIDENT EISENHOWER SIGNED A LAW CHANGING THE
NAME FROM ARMISTICE DAY TO VETERANS DAY TO RECOGNIZE ALL THOSE WHO
HAVE SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES.
2. THIS YEAR, WE HONOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO FOUGHT TO PRESERVE THE
FREEDOMS WE STILL ENJOY TO THIS DAY.  THEY SACRIFICED TO ENSURE WE
INHERITED A BETTER WORLD AND WE BEAR THAT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR
CHILDREN. THIS ENDURING COMMITMENT CONTINUES AS OUR CURRENT
SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN, MARINES, AND GUARDIANS PROTECT OUR
LIBERTIES, DEFEND OUR COUNTRY, AND SAVE THOSE IN NEED. FROM IRAQ
AND AFGHANISTAN TO OUR OWN COASTLINE, THE MEMBERS OF OUR ARMED
FORCES REFLECT THE GREATEST QUALITIES OUR NATION HAS TO OFFER.
3. THE LOSS OF THE CREWS FROM COAST GUARD 1705 AND THE MARINE CORPS
HELICOPTER, AS WELL AS THE TRAGIC VICTIMS ON FORT HOOD, REMIND US
THAT OUR MILITARY MEMBERS ACCEPT PERSONAL RISK ON A DAILY BASIS TO
SAFEGUARD OUR NATION. WHILE WE MOURN THEM ALONG WITH ALL VETERANS
WHO HAVE SACRIFICED IN PAST CONFLICTS, WE UNDERSTAND OUR RESOLVE
MUST STAY FIRM.
4. ON 11 NOVEMBER, I WILL JOIN PRESIDENT OBAMA AND MY FELLOW
SERVICE CHIEFS AT A NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY.  LATER IN THE
DAY, I WILL PARTICIPATE IN A WREATH LAYING CEREMONY WITH SECRETARY
NAPOLITANO AT THE COAST GUARD MEMORIAL AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL
CEMETERY. BOTH EVENTS HONOR OUR VETERANS AND RENEW OUR COMMITMENT
TO STAND THE WATCH AT SEA, ON LAND, AND IN THE AIR. FREEDOM MUST BE
PROTECTED AND AS GUARDIANS IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THAT
VIGIL. SEMPER PARATUS.
5. ADMIRAL T. W. ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.