Veterans Day 2000
Chemical Technology Division had their own Veterans Day celebration. You can see pictures of their 2000 celebration and of their veterans on their internal division web site.
How many of these newspaper headlines can you identify?
We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? Don Spellman provided the story with this preface,
These links were supplied by various people who have an interest in Veteran information. The list is not intended to be complete since there are thousands of websites relating to Veterans. However, if you have a link that you think should be included here, please send it to the ORNL Workforce Diversity Office.
Tribute to USS Cole "Fallen Heros"
The Star Spangled Banner
The Avalon Project: WWII Documents
WWWI Posters
American Indian Veterans Memorial Organization
The American Legion, The World's Largest Veterans Organization
AMVETS Online"We are Veterans Serving Veterans"
Arlington National Cemetery
Army & Navy Union U.S.A., "The oldest veterans organization in America"
Blinded Veterans Association
Congressional Medial of Honor Society
Disabled American Veterans
Founding dates of Military Organizations
Legion of Valor
The Marine Corps League National Headquarters Home Page
The Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S. A., Inc. is a Congressionally chartered
national service veterans organization.
Paralyzed Veterans of America
The Retired Enlisted Association
The Retired Officers Association (TROA)
All four stanzas of The Star Spangled Banner
Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs
United States of America Veteran's Site
Veterans Day 1998 message from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Vietnam Veterans of American
Women Veterans of America, "A Voice for Women Veterans"
Women Who Served
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip Of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.
Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals, was born.
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky.
All is well,
safely rest.
God is nigh.
Fading light
Dims the sight
And a star
Gems the sky,
Gleaming bright
From afar,
Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.