Tag Archives: soldiers

General Safety Issues

TODAY, 11-11-11 IS VETERANS’ DAY!

Veterans Day is a state and federal holiday, with banks, post offices, and schools being closed.  How many people that take advantage of the day off realize the meaning of the day, and why it is celebrated?  Many youngsters today could teach us a thing or two about it, because their parents are in the military, and they know what it’s like to have a mom or dad come home.  All our children should understand what this important day stands for. 

Originally known as Armistice Day, it was set aside as a day to honor the military servicemen who fought so valiantly in World War I.  Here is part of a resolution made by Congress on June 4, 1926:

“Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations;”

At the time this was written, WWI was called “the end of the war to end all wars”.  In 1938, Congress made Armistice Day a legal holiday.  Then World War II was declared, which required the greatest mobilization of military in our history.  Next, we entered the Korean War.  The name was changed in 1954 to Veterans Day in order to honor veterans of all wars we have been engaged in.  Since then, we have been engaged in the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  Let’s hope this is the last one.

Those of us who have not experienced war first-hand, can only empathize with those who have, whose eyes fill up with tears, thinking of the memories of comrades in arms that they lost.  We can’t imagine the post-traumatic syndrome that many of them suffer.  Any chance that you have to thank a veteran will be appreciated.  A note or email to someone you know who has served would tell them you are grateful for the safety they have provided our country.  Fly your flag to honor them.

Veterans Day focuses attention to its important purpose: a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  We owe a huge debt to all the brave men and women who have fought so courageously.  Let’s hope someday, somehow, they will be able to serve our country in a safer, more peaceful world.

Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, Head Protection, Respiratory Safety

DO YOU REMEMBER WHERE YOU WERE ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001?

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There’s probably not one single American (who is old enough) to remember what they were doing on that fateful day when four commercial jetliners were hijacked and intentionally crashed on United States soil.  Two of the planes hit New York City’s twin towers of the World Trade Center, taking the lives of thousands of innocent civilians- persons from more than 90 countries. One other jetliner hit the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania.  The hijackers on that fourth plane were planning to attack our Nation’s capitol, but because brave passengers and the flight crew had been informed of what was going on elsewhere, they fought heroically to retake the plane.  There were no survivors on any flights.  

The grief that Americans felt that day remains.  It’s hard to believe that one can lose their life in such a cruel way by going to work.  Besides the passengers and persons in the buildings, including children,  there were many firefighters, police, EMS personnel and others who lost their lives.  We can only pray that we never see another day such as that one.   

It is ironic that manyof today’s soldiers were just children on that fateful day.  Now, as adults,  they are continuing to fight a war in Afghanistan that began October 7, 2001, in response to the tragedy of 9-11.  Others were involved in the Iraq War, which began in 2003; now our military presence  is being downsized.  However, many of these troops will be sent to Afghanistan.  Their mission is to ensure that the tragedy of 9-11 never happens again.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we lived in a world without hate or fear?

Along with hundreds of suppliers and businesses in America, Texas America Safety Company sent hardhats and respirators for the dedicated workers to wear in the cleanup and recovery phase, which lasted until May, 2002.  OSHA distributed more than 131,000 respirators, 11,000 hard hats, 13,000 safety glasses and goggles, and 21,000 pairs of protective gloves. They identified more than 9,000 hazards that had to be dealt with during this time. 

We, along with all Americans, salute the workers for the difficult tasks performed during the 10 months of the recovery mission.  As with all Americans, we will never forget that day.  Each year, there are many tributes made to the victims, their families, the first responders who lost their lives, and the thousands of workers in the clean-up phase.  Let’s pledge to never forget what happened to our country on that horrible day, and to keep ourselves, and our country as safe as possible.

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A BRIEF HISTORY LESSON – VETERAN’S DAY

Wednesday, November 11 will be Veterans Day.  We aren’t history teachers, yet we want to share some information about this important observance.  Originally known as Armistice Day, it was set aside as a day to honor the military servicemen who fought so valiantly in World War I.  Here is part of a resolution made by Congress on June 4, 1926:

“Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations;”

At the time this was written, WWI was called “the end of the war to end all wars”.  In 1938, Congress made Armistice Day a legal holiday.  Then World War II was declared, which required the greatest mobilization of military in our history.  Next, we entered the Korean War.  The name was changed in 1954 to Veterans Day in order to honor veterans of all wars we have been engaged in.  Since then, we have been engaged in the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Veterans Day focuses attention to its important purpose: a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Our forefathers who wrote the above quote from 1926 had no idea what the future would bring.  They only thought WWI was the Big One.  We are a great nation and we need to look back on those words and try to follow their hopes for us.  We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the brave men and women who have fought so courageously.  Let’s hope someday, somehow they will be able to serve our country in a safer, more peaceful world.

Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs