Happy Veteran's Day

HONORING ALL WHO SERVED

November 11th is Veteran's Day. Please take some time to honor all the men and women who have served our country from the Revolutionary War to the present wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A Short History of Veteran's Day


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


However, the fighting actually ceased seven months earlier when a temporary cessation of hostilities, or armistice, between the allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Because of this, November 11, 1918 is usually regarded as the end of "the war to end all wars."



In November 1919 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first commeration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflection 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 what 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 nation. . . "

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 am.

An act (52 STAT. 351; 5 U.S. CODE, SEC. 87a) that was approved on May 13, 1938 made November 11th each year a legal holiday to be dedicated to the cause of World Peace and to be celebrated and known as "Armistice Day". Primarily a day set aside to honor Veterans of World War I.

But in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen in the Nation's history; after American forces had fought agression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the Veteran's service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans". With the approval of the legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American Veterans of all wars.

Veteran's Day is one holiday that is always celebrated on the actual day--not on a Monday that gives a long weekend. Veteran's Day is celebrated on November 11. The date is remembered by 11-11-11--the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. I am aware that Veteran's Day honors our Veterans, and Memorial Day honors our Military dead, but I think these pictures show just exactly what our Veterans have given in all wars, past and present.

Thank you to all the Veterans--those from past wars and those from the present wars. May God keep all of our military safe and bring them all home to their families soon.