Crossword puzzle clue "november honoree inserted into the three longest answers"

November honoree inserted into the three longest answers

The pairs of letters inserted into each of this puzzle's theme answers, for example

Stat inserted into this puzzle's long Across answers

Host inserted into this puzzle's theme answers

Turkey inserted into the theme answers

Military honorees formed by the letters inserted into the theme answers

Today's honoree, found in this puzzle's eight longest answers

Metaphor for time ... and, when divided into three words, puzzle theme found in the four longest across answers