VETERANS DAY | Honoring Those Who Served

Grief Recovery Newsletter

Written by: Patricia D. Freudenberg

There are days when history feels distant, tucked away in textbooks and ceremonies. And then there are days like today, a day that calls us to pause, to breathe, to remember. Today is not just a date on the calendar. It is a heartbeat, a moment of collective stillness, a legacy of courage carved into the living memory of a nation.

The History

November 11 is remembered as the day the Great War (World War I) came to a close, often called The War to End All Wars. At 10:58 a.m. in 1918, soldiers of the 353rd Infantry stood near a small church in Stenay, Meuse, France, waiting in a profound and reverent quiet, just two minutes before the moment the guns fell silent. The photograph taken then speaks across time, showing exhausted eyes, heavy uniforms, and an unspoken knowing that life had changed forever in ways no words could ever fully repay.

Years later, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed HR7786, recognizing this date not only as a remembrance of that historic truce that called the battlefield to stillness, but as a national day to honor all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It expanded the meaning of this day beyond a single war, acknowledging every life touched, shaped, and marked by service.

As a nation built on service, community, and resilience, we stand on the shoulders of those who chose duty over comfort. And here at Miss-U-Gram®, where remembrance and legacy are at the heart of what we do, we pause with intention. We honor those who did not return home, those who returned changed, and those who continue to carry the quiet echoes of service in the unseen places of the heart. We honor the families who waited, who prayed, who learned to love someone who had seen what they could not. We honor the folded flags held with care, the medals tucked away in drawers, and the stories whispered only when the room is soft and safe.

Keeping Veterans Day on November 11 preserves the significance and the spirit of this remembrance. It reminds us that gratitude is not passive. It is a practice. It is a calling. It is a responsibility to remember that freedom is shaped by real lives, real sacrifices, real love of country, and a willingness to serve the common good.

Remembrance is a legacy. Legacy is love carried forward. And love, when true, does not forget.

Quote of the Day
“We remember not only the battles fought, but the hearts that carried the weight of them. Honor is not in the uniform alone, but in the love that chose to serve.”
– Patricia D. Freudenberg

Reflection
If you could speak one sentence to someone who served, whether they are here or no longer with us, what would you say? Let your words rise gently. They matter.

Closing Thought
Freedom is not abstract.
It is lived, it is held, it is protected, and it is remembered.
Today, we honor, and through honoring, we continue the light of their service.

 All Rights Reserved | © Patricia D. Freudenberg | Miss-U-Gram® LLC