Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

God Bless America.

Veterans Day 2016 - History of Veterans Day Shared by Palm Springs Guru

History of Veterans Day

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities.  This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "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…"
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

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; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. From left: Alvin J. King, Wayne Richards, Arthur J. Connell, John T. Nation, Edward Rees, Richard L. Trombla, Howard W. Watts 

On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.
In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.
The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.
The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Palm Springs Guru is a veteran. I'm retired from the United States Air Force.

My grandfather served in France during WWI and was there on November 11, when that war officially ended. I had, for years, some of his U.S. Army gear.

Our three sons are veterans too. We have one grandson on active duty with the USAF.

 

Throwback Thursday - Happy Birthday United States Marine Corps. Shared by Palm Springs Guru

Happy Birthday Marines! What makes the Corps great — in 10 awesome images

By: Jeff Schogol, November 9, 2016 (Photo Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad Runge.)

Nov. 10, 1775, marks the beginning of the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen. To celebrate the Marine Corps' 241st Birthday, we looked at the top 10 things that make the Corps awesome.

1.  “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.” —  One of retired Gen. James Mattis' rules to live by.

Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis addresses the audience during the U.S. Central Command change of command ceremony, MacDill Air Force Base Fla., March 22, 2013.

Photo Credit: Airman 1st Class David Tracy.

2. Knife hands. These are so sharp they could slice birthday cake.

Photo Credit: Marine Corps.

3. Guns, shouting, battle rattle. Just another day at the office.

A Marine with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit conducts gun drills aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island on Nov. 3.

Photo Credit: Cpl. Chris Garcia.

4. All Marines remember that day when they finished the Crucible and earned the honor to wear the eagle, globe and anchor.

Recruits received their Eagle, Globe and Anchors during a ceremony that marked the end of the Crucible May 25, 2013, on Parris Island.

Photo Credit: Lance Cpl. David Bessey.

5.  “We’re surrounded. That simplifies things.” Marines are the heirs to the relentless grit and courage of Lewis “Chesty” Puller, who as a colonel led his forces in inflicting huge casualties against the encircling Chinese forces in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, for which he received his fifth Navy Cross. He retired as a lieutenant general and the most decorated Marine in history.

Col. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, commanding the 1st Marine Division in the Korean War, is photographed on Nov. 22, 1950.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/U.S. Marine Corps.

6. The Ka-Bar is part Marine Corps, part Klingon, all bad-ass.

Ka-Bar USMC Knife.

Photo Credit: Rob Curtis/Staff.

7.  On Nov. 13, 2004, then 1st Sgt. Bradley Kasal fought to clear Fallujah's infamous “House of Hell” and rescue Marines trapped inside. He was shot seven times by insurgents and took shrapnel when he used his body to protect a wounded Marine from a grenade blast.  A picture of him with two Marines helping to carry him out of the house became one of the most iconic pictures from the Iraq war.  Now a sergeant major, Kasal received the Navy Cross in 2006.

Navy Cross recipient Sgt. Maj. Bradley A. Kasal talks about leadership to hundreds of Marines on Camp Pendleton.

Photo Credit: Marine Corps.

8. Chuck Norris approves of the  Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.

Recruits of Papa Company practice sweeping their opponent to the ground July 1, 2015, on Parris Island as part of the Marine Corps Martial-Arts Program.

Photo Credit: Pfc. Vanessa Austin.

9. The Marine Corps offers even the most junior person frequent opportunities for face-time with senior leaders.

Drill instructors from Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, instruct a recruit to move faster at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 25.

Photo Credit: Lance Cpl. Anthony Leite.

10. “Are you allowed to eat jelly doughnuts, Pvt. Pyle?” When retired Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey played the drill instructor in “Full Metal Jacket,” he inspired countless Marines to see if they are tough enough to make it through recruit training. The movie and his performance are indelible parts of Corps lore.

Retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey takes a break for a smoke outside New River Air Station's Staff NCO club, in this May 15, 2006 file photo taken in Jacksonville,

Photo Credit: AP Photo/The Daily News, Randy Davey, File.

Palm Springs Guru worked with USMC in the USA and overseas.

I am proud to be part of the USMC 29 Palms endurance sports team called 29ET.

Thank you, https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/author/jeff-schogol,  for this outstanding article.

Throwback Thursday - Tram Road Challenge - World's Toughest 6K Run & Palm Springs Guru's Favorite Event

31st ANNUAL TRAM ROAD CHALLENGE A GREAT SUCCESS

 

The winner of the 31^st Annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge was David Luna who ran the “World’s Toughest 6K” in 29 minutes, 58 seconds.

The first female to cross the finish line was Zoe Meyers from Palm Springs, CA in 38 minutes, 49 seconds.

Shirley Hayes, age 6, finished first in the youngest category (6 and under) and Robert Klinck, age 85, finished first in the oldest category (85-89).

“We are proud to have hosted this event for 31 years,” says Tramway General Manager Rob W. Parkins. “With several thousand participants and spectators, the Tram Road Challenge has definitely become a signature event for Palm Springs and our entire Coachella Valley.”

This year’s Female and Male Challenge Division Winners are:

Age Groups	Name	City	Time
6 and under	Shirley Hayes	La Quinta	01:09:18
	Austin Redwine	Beaumont	01:20:52
7-10	Madalyn Adams	Palm Springs	00:56:28
	Kai Macro	La Quinta	00:40:18
11-14	Madelyn Stone	Temecula	00:57:54
	Michael Jahnig	La Quinta	00:45:24
15-19	Silvana Gonzalez	—	00:54:51
	Kiviok Hight	Cathedral City	00:35:30
20-24	Cara Bonafede	Bermuda Dunes	00:49:28
	Leo Issac Mejia	Cathedral City	00:37:38
25-29	Alex Carrera-Montgomery	—	00:42:11
	James Eunson	Melbourne (AU)	00:42:45
30-34	Nina Ruedas	Palm Springs	00:49:37
	Ben Bear	—	00:37:43
35-39	Shaela Luter-Plunkett	La Quinta	00:40:56
	Steve McGrath	Palm Desert	00:37:44
40-44	Wendy Ansley	Palm Desert	00:42:29
	Daniel Davis	—	00:36:57
45-49	Kristen Trubee	Palm Desert	00:42:15
	Marc Tiritilli	La Crescenta	00:36:27
50-54	Sheri Wysocki	Joshua Tree	00:47:02
	Anthony Tanner	Rancho Cucamonga	00:33:59
55-59	Sheryl Whyte	Cochrane	00:44:26
	Mark Barnett	Indio	00:37:23
60-64	Carol Baker	Brea	00:52:05
	Greg O’Donnell	El Centro	00:37:11
65-69	Paula Goldfarb	Rancho Mirage	00:51:54
	Keith Culver	Palm Springs	00:45:46
70-74	Hulda Somers	Twenty-Nine Palms	00:59:23
	Gary Rust	Desert Hot Springs	00:44:22
75-79	Staczy Lewis	Palm Springs	01:13:32
	Robert Lizakowski	Indio	00:59:12
80-84	Anthony Bob Silva	Palm Desert	00:49:49
85-89	Robert Klinck	Palm Springs	01:23:00

The first Tram Road Challenge was held in 1983, and was won by Rob Slick in 27 minutes, 35 seconds and Nancy Baird in 35 minutes, 25 seconds. The fastest men’s time was set by Rubin Garcia of Mexico—26 minutes, 5 seconds—in 1987. Lubov Kremleva of Russia set the fastest women’s time—28 minutes, 56 seconds in 1998.

Parkins adds, “We are delighted the Tram Road Challenge benefits United Way of the Desert and wish to thank the event’s many sponsors. We hope that everyone will join us again next year for our 32^nd edition.”

Palm Springs Guru loves the Tram Road Challenge. It is my favorite sports participation event. Go to http://www.kleinclarksports.com/tram

It's been delightful to  have participated in 7 out of the past 10 years. One year, I finished on the podium with a third place in my age group.

This year, I did not participate in the 2016 Tram Road Challenge due a out of town family reunion.

I plan to participate in the 2017 Tram Road Challenge.

 

November, 2016 - Come to beautiful Palm Springs, California - You'll be glad you did!

Palm Springs, California the perfect place to visit, stop, shop, dine, stay, work, play, relax, refresh, rejuvenate. 

November is the ideal time to enjoy Palm Springs, the greater Palm Springs area and the entire Coachella Valley.