The modern world was forged during World War I and its aftermath. The ceasefire that ended the war occurred on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Armistice Day was created to commemorate that day, as well as to remember the sacrifices of veterans of the First World War. Here is how it came to be renamed as Veteran’s Day:
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.'” As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.
In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress — at the urging of the veterans service organizations — amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill ensured three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on Oct. 25, 1971.
Finally, on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11, beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on Nov. 11.
Read the rest here.
From time to time, I like to promote the Combat Veterans for Congress Political Action Committee, as their cause is righteous. Their Veterans Day editorial this year is outstanding. Give it a read:
Title: On Veterans Day, Nov 11th, and Every Day, Americans Thank Veterans For Their Service in Defense of the Republic
On November 11th, Veterans Day, and every day, Americans are appreciative of Veterans for their service in the defense of the Republic when they were once active members of the US Armed Forces. We remember and “Honor” military personnel who gave the last full measure of devotion in defense of the Republic and were lost in combat. In certain cases, many years after being honorably discharged, a Veteran eventually succumbed to a combat injury that occurred while he was in combat on active duty. Col John W. Ripley, USNA ’62, USMC (Ret) (Navy Cross) (Distinguished Graduate of the US Naval Academy) is one of those many well-known “Honorable” Veterans.
Veterans and active duty personnel can click on the below listed link to learn of the many discounts and free meals that restaurants will extend to Veterans on Veterans Day in order to thank them for their honorable service, and in some cases discounts are extended on days before and after Veterans Day. Veterans Day Discounts can be found here.
Many veterans still suffer from the negative effects on their health as a result of volunteering to defend the Republic from enemies in combat. An average of 22 veterans commit suicide every day. Many of those veterans had been suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or from disabling wounds received as a result of their combat tours on foreign fields of fire. Other depressed veterans may not have been able to obtain timely or adequate medical treatment or therapy for treatment of their debilitating wounds or PTSD.
The overwhelming majority of 23 million Veterans in the United States are good citizens, they quietly go about their normal lives, are gainfully employed, support their families financially, and provide the careful and loving guidance to properly raise their children. Some of the ways that Veterans continue to serve their country and support their fellow countrymen, is by serving in Law Enforcement, as First Responders, in government service, as members of the clergy, in the medical fields, as computer technicians, in science, in education, as airline pilots, in research, as members of Congress or in other elective or appointive offices, and in many other civilian endeavors.
By clicking on this link, you will be able to listen to a powerful message delivered by President Ronald W. Reagan about “A Soldier and His Pledge.”
Every Veteran, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount “up to and including their life.” If you know or recognize a veteran who served in the defense of the Republic, and you have an opportunity to communicate with that Veteran, we encourage you to show your appreciation for his or her service, by thanking him or her for the defense of the Republic.
By: Joseph R. John, USNA ‘62
CAPT USNR(Ret)/Former FBI
Chairman, Combat Veterans For Congress PAC
2307 Fenton Parkway, Suite 107-184
San Diego, CA 92108
http://www.CombatVeteransForCongress.org
https://www.facebook.com/combatveteransforcongress?ref=hl
Remember veterans today, as well as their sacrifices for all of us, and personally thank those whom you know. Some gave all; all gave some.
The end.
PostScript. CVFC PAC is a VERY worthy non-profit organization. I recommend a generous contribution if you are able.
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