Veterans Day: 2020

The image below is of a hat pin, given to me by a friend who understands my desire, and passion, to be respectful of those who sacrificed so much for freedom.

 This pin is a memorial to Vimy Ridge.  It memorializes Canadian military, fighting with the British, French, and US soldiers, against Germany in WWI.

Wikipedia does a nice job summarizing it:

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in the First Army, against three divisions of the German 6th Army. The battle took place from 9 to 12 April 1917 at the beginning of the Battle of Arras, the first attack of the Nivelle Offensive, which was intended to attract German reserves from the French, before their attempt at a decisive offensive on the Aisne and the Chemin des Dames ridge further south.

The Canadian Corps were to capture the German-held high ground of Vimy Ridge, an escarpment on the northern flank of the Arras front. This would protect the First Army and the Third Army farther south from German enfilade fire. Supported by a creeping barrage, the Canadian Corps captured most of the ridge during the first day of the attack. The village of Thélus fell during the second day, as did the crest of the ridge, once the Canadian Corps overran a salient against considerable German resistance. The final objective, a fortified knoll located outside the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle, fell to the Canadians on 12 April. The 6th Army then retreated to the Oppy–Méricourt line.

The battle was the first occasion when the four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together and it was made a symbol of Canadian national achievement and sacrifice. A 100-hectare (250-acre) portion of the former battleground serves as a memorial park and site of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.^[5]

I didn't have a poppy to photograph given Covid and my current state.  However, if I had, I would have included an image of that to remember the US troops.  I believe it is important to not forget our allies.  They lost so many as well in our global cause supporting us.

I wear this pin on my dress hat with pride.   Those men were incredibly brave.  So were our US troops.  

President Trump has been the first president in decades that has not had a war to fight. He was bringing soldiers home.

For the families of military men and women.....for the citizens of the US....and Canada, please remember those who have given so much for freedom.   And NEVER, let it go.  For once it is gone, it takes blood to recover.