FORT SILL, Oklahoma (Nov. 15, 2018) -- Fort Sill observed Veterans Day three days early this year, Nov. 8. Also, in a departure from years gone by, the ceremony took place amid the markers of Constitution Park honoring veterans of past conflicts.
Old Glory flew at half-staff with the POW-MIA flag just below it, and in front of them stood the color guard bearing the nation's five service flags. The ceremony included a moment of silence for the missing comrades who never returned from war.
"This Veterans Day is the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, and so I think it's fitting that we make a special reference to, not only WW I, but our World War II veterans, of whom we have very, very few, and that number dwindles almost every day," said Maj. Gen. Wilson A. Shoffner, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general.
"Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of the Great War, which was to have been the War to End All Wars, and as we all know, that didn't quite work out so well. It was one of the largest wars in history, with over 70 million troops across the world being mobilized. Over 9 million combatants and 7 million civilians were killed over a period of four years.
"Contrast that, if you would, to the number of casualties we've had over the last 15 years. Not to take anything away from the noble and honorable sacrifice of our veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places, but I think we sometimes fail to keep in perspective the extreme sacrifice that Americans made to help end that war.
"If you think back to WW I, there were great technological advances that were implemented. You know, we talk a lot about our cross functional teams and the importance of what they do and what they bring to the force, but WW I actually was a turning point in terms of technological advancement on the battlefield.
"You saw for the first time things like the telephone, the wireless, armored vehicles, tanks, and aircraft being employed all at once. You talk about a revolution in military affairs, and many of us are apt to do that. That truly was, if you look back, I would offer, a turning point in terms of technological innovation for the military," Shoffner said.
"There were revolutions in the use of artillery. Cannons were positioned on the front lines and fired against targets. Aircraft and field telephone were used to assist in targeting and for the first time, counterfire.
"Machine guns, chemical weapons, air reconnaissance, obstacles, artillery with fragmentation shells, all changed the face of modern warfare.
"Given the extensive use of aircraft and bombers by the artillery, there was the genesis of another system: the air defense artillery. In fact, coastal artillery, under Gen. (James) Shipton, became the Antiaircraft Service. Originally using 75-mm cannons, machine guns, and searchlights, all were added to detect and intercept enemy aircraft.
"I do want to highlight a little about the Soldier experience in WW I and how that relates to today," the CG continued. "Most of you, as you read about WW I, one of the things you can't escape is the tremendous sacrifice and the horrors associated with trench warfare, on both sides. Perhaps the most widely recognized staple of WWI and Great War tactics.
"Suffice it to say, life in the trenches was exceptionally grueling. Between sniper fire, artillery, disease, and poisonous gas, those are just a few of the threats that Soldiers faced. To avoid detection from enemy reconnaissance and enemy forces, Soldiers would often remain in the trenches for days on end. Trenches that were full of water, sometimes up to their knees. They suffered from trench foot, all kinds of other vermin, and other diseases.
"As Soldiers today, it's important to keep in mind these conditions and sacrifices as we go about our training here at Fort Sill and across the world," Shoffner said.
He reminded the audience that WW I didn't have many of the comforts that make life easier today.
"But at the end of the day, they had each other. And they had their willingness to continue the fight on behalf of our nation. So when we put on this uniform each and every day, I think it's appropriate to ask ourselves if we're worthy to wear the same uniform that our forebears wore. Are we doing enough to honor their sacrifice? Are we carrying on their legacy?" he asked.
Shoffner asked the audience to be recruiters and join him in telling the story of U.S. veterans.
Fort Sill narrator Ken Emerson called on veterans of previous wars to stand and be recognized, starting with World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Next came Grenada, Panama, and Somalia, followed by operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Kosovo. Finally, veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq were asked to stand.
Emerson provided the following brief history of Veterans Day:
"The tradition of setting a day aside to remember American service veterans dates back to 100 years ago, the end of World War I. The War to End All Wars was a costly and bitter war in which over 116,000 citizens lost their lives at sea, in the trenches, and over the skies of Europe. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and the Central powers, effectively ending the First World War.
"The following year the 11 November date started to be commemorated as Armistice Day. In 1938, the Armistice Day of Nov. 11 became a legal federal holiday in the United States. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean conflict, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.
"Our nation is what it is today because of the efforts and sacrifices of its veterans, represented here today by the five organizational colors.
"There are over 23 million veterans in the United States; these brave men and women who serve to protect us come from all walks of life. They are parents, children and grandparents. They are friends, neighbors and co-workers, and are an important part of their communities. Each of our Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen make up a diverse team, driven to succeed, and dedicated to defending the American way of life.
"Each of the veterans honored throughout the world on Veterans Day marched in the footsteps of those who have laid the foundation of the greatest military power in the world. These same veterans stood together and took an oath, to defend the Constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic, and they have pledged their lives to ensuring that the American way of life will remain as free today, as it did 243 years ago."
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