Veterans Day
is an official United States holiday honoring armed service veterans. It’s a
federal holiday that is observed on November 11th. It coincides with other holidays
such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts
of the world and also mark the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that
ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the
11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of
the Armistice.)
U.S.
President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919.
In proclaiming the holiday, he said,
"To us
in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride
in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude
for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and
because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace
and justice in the councils of the nations."
Of course
over the years Veterans day has become a day to honor all who served in the
military, a day to acknowledge the sacrifice their service represents. We’re
all used to seeing Banks, politicians, and corporation give lip service
veterans day by having shopping sales, thanking veterans on a tv commercial, or
hanging sweatshop made flag in their place of business.
Are the
institutions of power truly grateful for veterans and their service to the
country?
Of course
they are. 60% of the federal discretionary budget goes to the military
industrial complex in one way or another. The products of war are big business,
which means big profits. From oil, to reconstruction, weapons development,
minerals, even boots and coffins mean money in the bank.
What are
institutions of power doing to honor those recruited to fight the wars that
line their deep pockets?
Not much.
Veterans are always more likely to be unemployed then the average American.
They are less likely to have a four year degree. 1/3 of all homeless people are
veterans, many of them combat veterans. The housing crisis has hit veterans
hard.
Right now we
are especially disturbed by Fannie Mae’s attempt to take disabled Desert Storm
Veteran Mark Harris home. Fannie Mae is 80% tax payer owned, and Mark has been
struggling to work with Fannie Mae to strike a deal that keeps him from
becoming another homeless combat veteran.
So far it
seems like Fannie Mae plans to celebrate Veteran’s Day by moving forward with
the eviction of Mark Harris.
Will you
celebrate Veterans Day with us by supporting Mark’s struggle to keep a roof over
his head?
There are
three things you can do this week to help Mark.
1. Sign and share his online petition: http://start2.occupyourhomes.org/petitions/disable-desert-storm-veteran-needs-help-to-save-his-home
2. Call/Email Fannie Mae and tell them
to work with Mark to keep him in the home: Catherine "Candy" Lasher
at 404-398-6901, catherine_lasher@fanniemae.com and call and/or Andrew Wilson
at 202-752-5168,Andrew_j_wilson@fanniemae.com . Demand that they halt the
eviction of Disabled Desert Storm veteran Mark Harris at 1164 Dunwick Drive,
Avondale Estates, Georgia.
3. Take action with us this Wednesday! Join
us at Fannie Mae’s SE Regional office, 950
E Paces Ferry Rd NE Wednesday 11/14 at 3:30pmFacebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/136771526470261/
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