Ford says "Thanks" to our veterans...

Ford Sends WWII Veterans to Washington D.C.

 
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…"

These words of course were uttered by Wilson shortly after the end of WWI, also known as “The Great War,” named so, mostly due to the number of nations involved and sheer magnitude of those who fought and lost their lives in that war. The United States had over 300,000 servicemen who lost their lives or were wounded. During WWII the United States would commit many more troops and lose many more as well with over a million U.S. servicemen dead or wounded.

“Armistice Day,” was later renamed Veterans Day and signed into law by Dwight Eisenhower June 1^st, 1954.

This Veterans Day Ford Motor Company joined with those that fought, sacrificed and ultimately survived WWII, to help pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation.


On November 6^th Ford sponsored a flight sending more than 30 veterans of WWII from Michigan to Washington D.C. to see the WWII Memorial.

These veterans, all in their 80s and 90s, received a festive send off from the Detroit Memorial Airport from Ford employees and others. Upon arriving in Washington D.C. the veterans were greeted by members of Congress, and other Ford employees, and received well deserved letters of appreciation.

The daylong trip was organized as part of the Honor Flight Network. A second flight for Kentucky veterans will take place on D-Day, June 6, 2012.

Roe Miller, 94, who lives in Somerset, Mich., made the trip just one day after he had surgery on his ear. But the Marine sergeant who served on four islands in the South Pacific - including Iwo Jima, Saipan and the Marshall Islands — wasn't going to miss the trip. "I wanted to be here to see this - I wasn't going to miss it," said Miller.

“This is a small gesture in recognition of the service and bravery of these soldiers some 70 years ago,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. “For many, this will be their first visit to the national memorial dedicated in their honor.”

Ford Motor Company recently received the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for its assistance to Ford employees in the National Guard and Reserve. It is the highest honor bestowed by the Department of Defense for America’s employers who provide exceptional support to their employees. Ford is one of 15 companies nationwide selected for this award out of more than 4,000 nominations.

Ford Motor Company has a long history of supporting veterans and military personnel. Since 1974, Ford Motor Company and Ford Fund have provided more than $6 million to veterans organizations, including ongoing support to the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Network. With support from Ford Fund, 156 vehicles have been added to the network, which provides free rides for disabled veterans to and from medical appointments.

Please join us in showing your appreciation, and if you come across a veteran, or an active service member, on Friday, November 11, look them in the eye, and say “Thanks.”
They’ll know what you mean….

Sources Cited:

Media.Ford.Com: http://blog.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=35550#rel

The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20111104/AUTO01/111040412/Ford-sends-WWI...

WWII War Archives: http://wwiiarchives.net