November 9, 2007
The 48-star American flag is faded and worn, but it still waves proudly each Veterans Day on Helen Riddle's front porch. The symbol of America's freedom was handed down to the 93-year-old South Lake Tahoe resident by her father, who displayed it every day during World War II to honor his two sons who were serving in the military. As she has done every Nov. 11 throughout her life, she will fly her treasured flag this Sunday.
Riddle, who has flown the flag on each patriotic holiday through the years, said: "I think we all should fly our flag and remember why and how we are free to display it. We should think of what our boys went through so we can have that privilege."
Her patriotism goes back to World War II, when she was one of the many "Rosie the Riveters" who worked to support the war effort. She was a drill press operator for three years at Convair Air Craft in San Diego, where she drilled holes in pieces of steel before passing them on down the line for the next operation.
"When one of the plant managers asked us if we would work at Convair if we weren't getting paid, we all said 'Yes, of course,' " Riddle said. "We were willing to support the troops in any way we could. However, we were paid 75 cents per hour."
She was featured in the Convair newsletter because she worked a year without being absent or tardy. Her war bonds, bought through the "Boost Bonds - Build Bombers" plan, totaled $1,025.
Riddle also helped the war effort by regularly donating blood.
"After work, we would stop and give blood, and I always got in ahead of everyone because I have type AB blood," Riddle said. "It is rare, and only four out of every 100 people have it."
Another way Riddle's family showed their patriotism was by inviting servicemen to their home for Sunday dinner.
Riddle moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1974. She worked as a waitress at the Way Station, John's Tahoe Nugget, Harveys Resort Casino and Harrah's Lake Tahoe before retiring at age 76. She then ran a day-care center in her home for 10 years.
Although no one in Riddle's family is in the military today, several have served through the years, including her brothers and her second husband, the late Maynard Riddle. She enjoys crocheting and helps support veterans by regularly donating afghans to the American Legion, Moose Lodge and other organizations for raffles and auctions. She also makes lap robes for residents in the Barton Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility.
"I used to bake pies for charity, but I've slowed down a little," she said. "I still make my own homemade strawberry jam, something not many people do anymore."
The history of Veterans Day
Nov. 11 is the anniversary of the armistice that was signed in the Forest of Compiegne by the Allies and the Germans in 1918, ending World War I after four years of conflict.
At 5 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, the Germans signed the armistice, and an order was issued for all firing to cease, so the hostilities of World War I ended. The day began with the laying down of arms, blowing of whistles, impromptu parades and closing of businesses.
In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued an Armistice Day proclamation. The last paragraph set the tone for future observances: "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 is 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 nation."
In 1927, Congress issued a resolution requesting President Calvin Coolidge to issue a proclamation calling up officials to display the U.S. flag on all government buildings on Nov. 11. It was not until 1938 that Congress passed a bill that each Nov. 11 "shall be dedicated to the cause of world peace ... hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day."
That same year, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill making the day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. For 16 years, the United States formally observed Armistice Day with ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the chief executive or his representative placed a wreath. At 11 a.m., all traffic stopped in tribute to the dead, volleys were fired and taps sounded.
After World War II, there were many new veterans who had little or no association with World War I. The word "armistice" means simply a truce; therefore, as years passed, the significance of the name of this holiday changed.
Leaders of veterans groups decided to try to correct this and make Nov. 11 the time to honor all who had fought in various American wars, not just in World War I.
In Emporia, Kan., on Nov. 11, 1953, instead of an Armistice Day program, there was a Veterans Day observance. Ed Reed of Emporia was so impressed that he introduced a bill into the House to change the name to Veterans Day. The name was changed by an act of Congress on May 24, 1964.
In October of that year, President Dwight Eisenhower called on all citizens to observe the day by remembering the sacrifices of all those who fought to the task of promoting an enduring peace. Eisenhower referred to the change of name to Veterans Day in honor of all of America's wars.
- Information provided by Back to Patriotism.org
