Veteran's Day

Dear Readers,

We’re going to depart from learning about the SEALs today to talk about Veterans Day.  Originally known as Armistice Day, the name was officially changed to Veterans’ Day  on June 1, 1954.   November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars, including World War II and the Korean War.

World War I, known at the time as “The Great War,”  officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France.

However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

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…"

The original concept to celebrate the end of all wars was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

“Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed".

World War I was thought to be the end of world wars.  With the advent of World War II and the Korean War, veterans and others petitioned to have the day include a day to honor veterans of all conflicts in which America participated.

Over the years, there was some confusion over which day Veterans Day would be celebrated; however, the purpose of this sacred day will always be a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and to sacrifice.

May the Lord bless you and the United States of America,

Jane