Published: October 30, 2009 08:49 pm      

November has several dates we should remember

’Tis interesting, come November that there are three consecutive dates commemorating veterans and their service to the U.S.A:

9 November — The 20th anniversary of the fall if the Berlin Wall, signalling the end of communism in East Germany and by the end of 1989 the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. That was the beginning of the end of the Cold War against Russia (USSR then).

10 November — The 234th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.

11 November — Veterans Day, which honors all veterans of all wars. This day used to be called Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

All are important dates in which veterans from different eras and armed forces took part.

Probably the least known date is 9 November. It needs to be remembered the Army Air Force had been omnipresent along the iron curtain facing down the Russians since 1945. That’s 44 years the warriors of the Cold War had served in Europe and are there yet.

Here is how the article titled “Fall of the Berlin Wall Frees East Europe” in the November/December issue of the VFW magazine concludes: “But with the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 Nov. 89, the way to freedom opened up for everyone. Communism’s attempt to control a continent failed because of the sacrifices of many people, known and unknown, for more than four decades, including the steadfast GI’s of the vaunted Berlin Brigade.”

Looking back to 1917 to ever rule mankind, bar none.

Lest we forget.

Paul Shogren

Oakland