Veterans’ Day began with the end of the First World War. On the 11th of November 1918 in Versailles, France, in a railroad car the representatives of imperial Germany signed an armistice to bring the war to an end. An armistice is not the same as surrender; it simply brings about a cessation of the fighting. However, to attain a ceasefire Germany made major concessions of power and prestige.

Back home in Germany, people were rioting in the streets; the German Navy was in a state of mutiny; the nation was bankrupt. The casualty list on both sides was horrendous. More than 3000 American and French soldiers died on the last day of the war, hundreds in the five hours between the signing of the documents and the effective time of the ceasefire. At 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 the war to end all wars came to an end.

War is a terrible thing. Peace without freedom would be worse. Our freedom is bought at a great price. Every age will be called upon to defend it. The Bible tells us that there will always be wars and rumors of wars. Young men and women of every generation will most likely be asked to make great sacrifices for their country, even the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.

Lawrence Oliver Chamberlain knew intimately the face of war. Had it not been for the movie Gettysburg and its source novel, Killer Angels, most Americans would never have heard of General Chamberlain. Most still know little of the man. Chamberlain was not a soldier, he was a schoolteacher, and he taught Rhetoric at Bowdoin College in Brewer, Maine. As the American Civil War raged and he saw his young men going off to war he was convicted that he also must go.

Commissioned a lieutenant colonel, be became the second in command of the 20th Maine Infantry regiment. By the time of the battle of Gettysburg he was Colonel of the 20th the commander of the regiment. As the fighting progressed on the second day of the battle, MGen Gouverneur K. Warren, chief engineer of the Federal Army, discovered to his horror that the left end of the Federal line was “in the air,” the unprotected flank had also been seen by the Confederate Forces. Gen. Warren immediately called upon Col. Strong Vincent, commanding the 3rd Brigade, 1st Div, 5th Corps, and USA, to cover the gap. The 20th Maine was assigned to hold the end of the line at a small hill called “Little Round Top.”

Chamberlain and his men fought courageously and held until all of his ammunition was gone and it was clear the Confederates intended one final charge. Chamberlain had three choices. He could surrender; he could run, or he could stand and fight. He called the 20th into line and commanded a charge down the hill into the face of the Confederate troops. His men’s bravery and courage held the line and the won the day.

Years later Gen. Chamberlain spoke to a reunion of veterans. The occasion was Memorial Day, 1886, and he gave us this gem to remind us of our debt to those who fought for freedom:

“They gave their best for something held dearer than joy—something of good beyond their personal experience; the giving of which, in this world's estimation, is of such cost that it cannot be justified by your understanding but only in your overpassing faith.