1. It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you. ~Dick Cheney

2. Veterans Day began as Armistice Day on November 11, 1918 On this day, three unknown soldiers were buried at 11:11 AM in Washington, D.C., Westminster Abbey in England, and the Arc-de-Triomphe in France

3. On June 4, 1954 Armistice Day became Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans

4. Veteran Population: September 30, 2001 1 01,0002,0003,0004,0005,0006,0007,0008,0009,000 Population (Thousands) Peacetime WWI WWII Korean Conflict Vietnam Era Gulf War (About 1,000 WWI Veterans remained as of 9/30/01) In total, there are 25,349,000 Veterans throughout the United States

5. 45% of all Veterans live in only 7 of the 50 States: California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas 7 States: 45% 43 States: 55%

6. We gather today to remember a legacy of sacrifice and service which has preserved our freedom and ennobled our nation. Generation after generation, the sons and daughters of America answered the summons of their country to defend our ideals and to resist tyranny and oppression.

7. Mr. Joseph Sapienza voluntarily enlisted in the United States Air Force in September of 1942 “It was my duty and I’d do it again.”

8. Mr. Sapienza served 3 ¼ years as an armored machine gunner aboard a B-24 during WWII

9. He worked in the bomb bay, pulling the caps off bombs to detonate them before being released. The catwalk in the bay was 8 inches wide and the floor would collapse under weight of more than 90 lbs. Mr. Sapienza weighed about 240 lbs after putting on the more than 100 lbs of equipment and gear.

10. Outside of his gear and suit, the air was 55º below zero on all of his bombing missions, each of which lasted from 6 to 12 hours.

11. A total of 23 bombing missions were flown over Europe, including Germany and Southern France.

12. Danger was always lurking right around the corner for Mr. Sapienza. During one mission over Southern France, he and his fellow men took heavy hits to their B-24. They returned from the mission with 106 holes in the plane. He received the Purple Heart after being wounded by a piece of shrapnel in the back of the neck during a mission over Germany.

14. The World War II Victory Medal Personalized letter from the General Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force in recognition of Air Force Service during World Ward II

15. The Air Medal is awarded for single acts of heroism and achievement above and beyond that expected of professional airmen. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is awarded for service in these areas from December 7, 1941 to November 8, 1945.

16. Mr. Sapienza wants the youth of today to learn how important concentration is During his service, he needed to be able to focus on life and break up what needed to be done, to focus on specific goals. The smallest details were important and could cost you your life. If you forgot your gloves or O 2 mask, you were dead “look around, there was no mommy there.”

17. They heard our country's call. They went forth and counted not their own life dear, but offered it gladly in humanity's name -- for God and for the right. It is our duty to be proud of them.