And Thank you to those who were in the military in the past, in addition to the families of those who serve(d). You have given to us freely, also.

However it began, it has evolved to honor both the living and the dead. And Marienburg is correct, it has not been published for the family's privacy. If anyone else remembers, there was a bit of a to-do when someone published a photo of the Marines with the caskets in the hold of the plane. At least, I'm pretty sure that was the photo that started the 'discussion' about it.
Military service is an honor on both sides of my family, and my son, a nephew, and several cousins are currently serving. To them, and to all those currently in the military service, thank you so much for defending the freedoms our country was founded upon, whether it is for us or our "entangled alliances". Granted, not all conflicts can be won, but a Green Beret last night reminded me that, in the alternative, they can often be managed instead.

"...tried to HIDE the realities of the war...Such DISrespect!"
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Wow. What stopped you from driving to a military base when a fallen member was brought home? What stopped you from attending a memorial service for a fallen members? Both signs of respect.

Disrespectful is expecting to sit home on the couch; watch a news clip of a flag laden casket removed from an aircraft and believe you paid your respect, then turning the channel.

To the rest, thank you for your service; DiGriz make it home safe.

First of all, thank you veterans for all that you have done. Letting us average Americans live free while you risk everything. I will be at the vigil tonight in Whitewater. I never meet Amy or knew who she was until I saw the Royal Purple but she gave her life for this country, including myself. The least I can do is show how much I care and appreciate the sacrifice that Amy and many others have made for freedom.

I do agree that we should defiantly name every solider that gives his or her life in the line of duty. I went to Badger Boys State, a week long high school program for young men that are scholars in their hometown. There we saw a slideshow of every solider from Wisconsin that has been kill in our conflicts post 9/11. Needless to say this video was too long but I think that every person should have to watch it to see the names and faces of those who are willing to give all for others.

According to the Unites States Department of Veterans Affairs website:
"The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. At 11:00 a.m., a color guard, made up of members from each of the military services, renders honors to America's war dead during a tradition-rich ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The ceremony takes place inside the Memorial Amphitheater."

So it would appear that Veterans Day honors the living -and- the dead.

John, you must teach history at UWW? Hmm, that's enough for me to look into coming back to my alma mater just to take your courses... seriously!

"When her mother told her she couldn’t take on Osama bin Laden by herself, Amy replied: ‘Watch me.’”

God love this fiesty young lady! I love that you added this to your article! I'm sure there are so many in our military that say this!

John, you continue to have a fetishistic love of pageantry. You do need to come to grips with the fact that many meaningful things in life are celebrated and honored without media coverage and elected officials (or having your head patted and belly rubbed for a job well done). But to you it seems nothing is celebrated or meaningful unless the media and elected officials are involved and say it is worthy of celecration.
Also, please get your facts straight. Neither President G.W. Bush nor the US military were hiding the casualties of war by not permitting video coverage of the honored dead returning. The Pentagon ban on such coverage existed for 18 years until last month the Obama Administration decided to hit the reset button for obvious political purposes and allow such coverage upon obtaining the consent of the soldier’s family. Otherwise, it’s still banned (factual support is found at the links below). The ban was out of respect and dignity for the family—not a cover up as you stated. Oh, in case you have forgotten, Secretary Gates, who ordered the review in February, was also the Defense Secretary under President Bush. On this Veteran’s Day, your intentional misstatements of fact and attempted political spin on this issue dishonor those who have served. Shame on you.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12567965...
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticN...

Just what your CAPS LOCK addiction required - more numbers and symbols. It's like trying to read an enciphered message.

The eleventh month, eleventh day, eleventh hour, signifying the end of hostilities of WWI (the war to end all wars). It was originally called Armistice Day, when all people were to show respect for those who died in the war. As a youngster, my class stood at attention for one minute at exactly 11am. to honor those who died. Later it was changed to Veteran's Day to honor, not just those who died in war, but ALL VETERANS who have served. Unfortunately, we have yet to learn from the historical phrase; "those who do not learn from the past, are deemed to repeat it." Kudos to those in Gazette-land who have served.