Because November 11 is the day of the armistice ending WWI, both the US and Canada honor troops on that day. While Remembrance Day in Canada focuses primarily on those who gave their lives, Veterans Dan in the US Focuses primarily on those who served and returned.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time. In 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the day should be "filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory". There were plans for parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business activities at 11am.
In 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving. The Congress also requested that the president should "issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) was approved on May 13, 1938, which made November 11 in each year a legal holiday, known as Armistice Day. This day was originally intended to honor veterans of World War I. A few years later, World War II required the largest mobilization of service men in the history of the United States and the American forces fought in Korea. In 1954, the veterans service organizations urged Congress to change the word "Armistice" to "Veterans". Congress approved this change and on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor all American veterans, where ever and whenever they had served.
In 1968 the Uniforms Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) made an attempt to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday of October. The bill took effect in 1971. However, this caused a lot of confusion as many states disagreed with this decision and continued to hold Veterans Day activities on November 11. In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which stated that Veterans Day would again be observed on November 11 from 1978 onwards. Veterans Day is still observed on November 11…
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Even though we may hate some of the wars on which our troops have fought, it is important that we honor the warriors from all, thanking them for their service, and giving back to them by promptly providing the benefits they have earned. Please join me in thanking all US veterans.
Immediately following this article, we have an article on Remembrance Day, by Lynn Squance.
11 Responses to “Happy Veterans Day”
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Of course you're right, ignorant or not, waged rightfully or not, we must give credit to the ones who fell believing that it was for a better cause! I'll never regret my decision not to partake in the insanities of battles this country has participated in in my lifetime, but most who have fallen in my lifetime have died in remarkably futile wars that this country began without regard of life and results! It's a sad day indeed!
I would like to say Thank you to all the Veterans who have given so much so that we may be free.
Happy Veterans Day to all my Veteran Brothers and Sisters… Semper Paratus
We did not honor the Vietnam vets. A mistake caused by the anti-war sentiments at the time. To me, what Republicans have done to Vets, is worse. They use the soldier to promote their fake patriotism. They deny medical services. They refuse to raise the budget to help Veterans. They start unnecessary wars. They push the soldier to a dangerous limit. If we are going to make war (possibly Iran) I would not mind reinstating the draft. We have to raise the budget for Veterans medical care ongoing.
I'm with you on re-instating the draft. The "official" version of why the draft was ended has it that because of changes in the way the military operated they had enough people and the draft was unnecessary. The real reason was to forestall any reoccurrence of the massive anti-war demonstrations that contributed greatly to the ending of the Viet Nam war. The reasoning that citizens would be much less likely to oppose a war if there was no chance they or their children could be called to fight in it proved to be correct. Consider the lack of demonstrations against the Iraq war and the later stages of the Afghanistan war. The single biggest advantage of a draft is that it brings a much wider sampling of people into the military, which motivates a much wider sampling of people to pay attention to what is going on in and with that military.
I fully agree, Steve.
In Canada, Remembrance Day was originally know as Armistice Day but it was changed as the "war to end all wars" was not the last. . . . WWII, the Korean conflict (there was actually no declaration of war — North Korea invaded South Korea and then on 25 June 1950, the United Nations Security Council unanimously condemned the North's invasion of the South, with United Nations Security Council Resolution 82 and the UN then provided support to South Korea in their civil war with the North), peacekeeping in Cyprus, Rwanda, the Balkans, and other places. The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) has said that Remembrance Day is now a day of "remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict, and peace."
We ask our soldiers to do the most horrendous thing — kill another human being — but not just once, but over and over again. Yet when they return home, there isn't enough support, whether it be medical, financial especially in this economy, or moral support in dealing with all the trauma and then trying to fit in a civilian life where rules are not always so clear cut.
Whether a veteran returns in a body bag, or walks off that troop carrier seemingly whole, we OWE all veterans a debt of gratitude and support.
Peace be upon all!
In my last comment, I spoke from a Canadian perspective as to the "wars" listed. Canada was not involved in the Vietnam War although some Canadians did enlist in the US military to fight in Vietnam. That said, those who fought for their country in Vietnam are deserving of respect, honour and all medical, financial and moral support that should be for ALL military. These Vietnam vets answered the call of their country, many, too many paying the ultimate price with their lives.
It is nigh on time that ALL veterans be honoured.
I can remember when it was called Armistice Day.
(And it's also my Mom's Birthday today – her 96th! I'll be heading up to Illinois tomorrow for a week long visit, and taking her to two doctor appointments: her cardiologist for her pacemaker, and her annual PE w/ her internist. My Mom still lives alone, although she does have a homecare person come in 3 times a week. PLUS we'll spending a day visiting with her OLDER brother – he's 97, still lives with his wife at home, and heads to the basement to do some woodworking! I just hope that's the gene pool I drew from.)
Thanks to all of you who expressed support for our vets and agreed on the need to give them the care they earned so well.
Happy Veterans Day