Thank a Veteran Today

Today is Veterans Day, a day to honor and thank all US veterans.

Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, created to commemorate of the end of World War I. Fighting between the Allied Nations and Germany was ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. That date is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars”. Armistice Day was originally observed with parades, speeches and a brief suspension of businesses beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The 11th of November was made a legal holiday in 1938. The day was dedicated to the cause of world peace and was primarily to honor World War I veterans. After World War II and the Korean War the word “Veterans” replaced the word “Armistice” and the holiday has been known as Veterans Day ever since. On 1 June 1954, Veterans Day became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

There are several veterans in my immediate family. My dad, his two brothers, and two other uncles are veterans. My cousin Ron Weitz was in the Army, a West Point graduate, and Joe’s brother Greg was a Viet Nam veteran.

Herbert Miller, 333 Reg, 84 Div, “Rail Splitters”, WWII

Carl LaVerne Miller, Army Anti Aircraft Artillery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth Miller, 278 Regimental Combat Team 1953-55

Paul “Red” Linn, WWII, South Pacific

Paul Eichler, Army, Korean War

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple other relatives that were veterans include Dale Caffee, (Army, WWII) and Merlin Miller (Marines, WWII, Korean War, Viet Nam).

Dale Caffee, Army, WWII

Murlin Miller, Marines, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam

 

I always like to pass out flag pins to the veterans at church the Sunday before Veterans Day. Last Sunday we honored veterans from several wars: Herb Miller, WWII; Don Caffee, Korean War era; George Eckrote, Korean War era; Denny Caffee, Viet Nam; Kent Whitacre, Viet Nam; and Mark Kimmel, Desert Storm & Iraq.

So, thank a veteran today. Thank them for their service and sacrifices for our country and our freedom. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

6 comments

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    • Lorren Caffee on November 11, 2011 at 8:42 am
    • Reply

    Thank you, Karen, for your column. I’ve often wondered how much your dad has been willing to say about his combat in Europe. It was great seeing the old photos. I remember when Vernie and Kenny were in the service. I didn’t know you had the picture of my dad. I know it well.

    Keep up the good work.

    Lorren

    • Lorren Caffee on November 11, 2011 at 10:23 am
    • Reply

    Although he was not related to the Miller family, John Pierre Caffee, was a Captain of a B-17 in Europe and flew 50 missions over Germany. He was a first cousin of my dad’s, the son of Horace Caffee (my grandfather’s brother). He was a brother to Enid Westerberg Strable who you would remember. Your dad probably knew him but he grew up near Chicago. The experience was very hard on him and family members said he never really recovered. Being a pilot and interested in flying, I once asked him if he ever flew a plane again and he said he hadn’t. He raised his family in the Austin, Texas area.

    1. Very interesting. Yes, I remember Enid very well. Her daughter Karen and I were very good friends. I’ll have to write about my dad’s WWII experiences some time.

      • Don Talley on December 22, 2016 at 12:09 pm
      • Reply

      My family moved into Mr. Caffee’s home in New Braunfels, Texas in 1995. He sold it to us. Didn’t get to visit with him much. He had Alzheimer’s by then and other problems. I did see a wall hanging of many of his medals from WWII.

  1. We bought Mr. Caffee’s home in New Braunfels, TX. He was relocating to the Valley. He was already suffering from Alzheimer’s and couldn’t really visit. I did see his wall hanging of all of his medals.

    1. I believe you are referring to another Caffee who must have also been a veteran. The Caffees I know are from the west-central Ohio and east-central Indiana area. Thank you for reading and writing!

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