Veteran’s Day
Personal Comment
For all of us that have served, we do not need a day set aside to honor our brothers/sisters. For most of us they are with us almost every day, especially our friends and combat buddies we lost on the field of battle.
Someone said better than I so I’ll use their words,
“for all those who have been down range, to us, and to those like us – Damn Few”.
Veteran’s Day History
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 11 am.
Battle Hymn of the Republic by the United States Army Field Band and Choir
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 veteran’s 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 veteran’s service organizations urged Congress to change the word “Armistice” to “Veteran’s”. Congress approved this change and on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor all American veteran’s, 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 Veteran’s 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 Veteran’s Day activities on November 11. In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which stated that Veteran’s Day would again be observed on November 11 from 1978 onwards. Veteran’s Day is still observed on November 11.
Jeff Daley Military Service Summary
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