Veterans Day: Honoring Those Who Served

Veteran’s Day is almost upon us, and it is only fitting to take a short look back at our history about this national holiday. To so many, Veteran’s Day is more than just a holiday. It is a chance to remember the days that they served with pride. It is a day for us to proudly tell each veteran in our life, and those we come across, thank you for their service. 

Sometimes you may get an eye-roll, or a thank you for your support response. Veterans do not serve for our gratitude. They serve because they love their country. Our household is a dual veteran house, and there are many veterans in our immediate and adopted families. If you ask a veteran why they joined, you will get a myriad of answers, but almost always you will hear “I wanted to serve my country,” regardless of whether it was peacetime or not. 

The History of Veterans Day

“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…” 

~President Woodrow Wilson~

Veteran’s Day actually started out as Armistice Day. The agreement to end World War I was final at 11 am, on November 11 1918. The War To End All Wars, World War I was thought to be the war that would end all others, with the hope that warfare would be done for all times. Sadly, we would see many more wars, and WWII was just going to be around the corner, signaling a new era for wars and conflicts. 

It was not until President Eisenhower, however, that Armistice Day became Veterans Day. With the large number of veterans from the second World War and Korea, there was more to think about than Armistice Day. In 1954, approval was given to make November 11 a National holiday, and on October 8, President Eisenhower issued a proclamation saying:

“In order to ensure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”

Today, we celebrate Veteran’s Day, and we remember and honor those who are serving and those who have served honorably in our nation’s military. We will never know them all, but we proudly support and honor them. 

To all our veterans, we thank you and honor you for your selfless service!