Many Americans mistakenly believe that Veterans Day is the day America sets
aside to honor American military personnel who died in battle or as a result
of wounds sustained from combat. That's not quite true. Memorial
Day is the day set aside to honor America's war dead.
Veterans Day, on the other hand, honors ALL American veterans, both living and
dead. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for
dedicated and loyal service to their country. November 11 of each year is the
day that we ensure veterans know that we deeply appreciate the sacrifices they
have made in the lives to keep our country free.
Armistice Day
To commemorate the ending of the "Great War" (World War I), an "unknown
soldier" was buried in highest place of honor in both England and France
( (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These ceremonies
took place on November 11th, celebrating the ending of World War I hostilities
at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month).
This day became known internationally as "Armistice Day".
In 1921, the United States of America followed France and England by laying
to rest the remains of a World War I American soldier -- his name "known
but to God" -- on a Virginia hillside overlooking the city of Washington
DC and the Potomac River. This site became known as the "Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier," and today is called the "Tomb of the Unknowns." Located
in Arlington
National Cemetery, the tomb symbolizes dignity and reverence for the American
veteran.
In America, November 11th officially became known as Armistice Day through an
act of Congress in 1926. It wasn't until 12 years later, through a similar act
that Armistice Day became a national holiday.
The entire World thought that World War I was the "War to end all wars."
Had this been true, the holiday might still be called Armistice Day today. That
dream was shattered in 1939 when World War II broke out in Europe. More than
400,000 American service members died during that horrific war.
Veterans Day
In 1947, Raymond Weeks, of Birmingham Ala., organized a "Veterans Day"
parade on November 11th to honor all of America's veterans for their loyal and
dedicated service. Shortly thereafter, Congressman Edward H. Rees (Kansas) introduced
legislation to change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day in order to
honor all veterans who have served the United States in all wars.
In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans
Day, and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause
of peace. He issued a Presidential Order directing the head of the Veterans
Administration (now called the Department of Veterans Affairs), to form a Veterans
Day National Committee to organize and oversee the national observance of Veterans
Day.
Congress passed legislation in 1968 to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday
in October. However as it became apparent that November 11th was historically
significant to many Americans, in 1978, Congress reversed itself and returned
the holiday to its traditional date.
Veterans Day National Ceremony
At exactly 11 a.m., each November 11th, a color guard, made up of members from
each of the military branches, renders honors to America's war dead during a
heart-moving ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.
The President or his representative places a wreath at the Tomb and a bugler
sounds Taps. The balance of the ceremony, including a "Parade of Flags"
by numerous veterans service organizations, takes place inside the Memorial
Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb.
In addition to planning and coordinating the National Veterans Day Ceremony,
the Veterans Day National Committee supports a number of Veterans Day Regional
Sites. These sites conduct Veterans Day celebrations that provide excellent
examples for other communities to follow.
Veterans Day Observance
Veterans Day is always observed on November 11, regardless of the day of the
week on which it falls. The Veterans Day National Ceremony is always held on
Veterans Day itself, even if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. However,
like all other federal holidays, when it falls on a non-workday -- Saturday
or Sunday -- the federal government employees take the day off on Monday (if
the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).
Federal government holiday observance (for federal employees, including military)
is established by federal law. 5 U.S.C. 6103 establishes the following public
holidays for Federal employees: New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King,
Jr., Washington's Birthday (President's Day), Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
This federal law does not apply to state and local governments. They are free
to determine local government closings (including school closings) locally.
As such, there is no legal requirement that schools close of Veterans Day, and
many do not. However, most schools hold Veterans Day activities on Veterans
Day and throughout the week of the holiday to honor American veterans.
Veterans Day Around the World
Many other countries honor their veterans on November 11th of each year. However,
the name of the holiday and the types of ceremonies differ from the Veterans
Day activities in the United States.
Canada, Australia, and Great Britain refer to their holidays as "Remembrance
Day." Canada and Australia observe the day on November 11, and Great Britain
conducts their ceremonies on the Sunday nearest to November 11th.
In Canada, the observance of "Remembrance Day" is actually quite similar
to the United States, in that the day is set aside to honor all of Canada's
veterans, both living and dead. One notable difference is that many Canadians
wear a red poppy flower on November 11 to honor their war dead, while the "red
poppy" tradition is observed in the United States on Memorial Day.
In Australia, "Remembrance Day" is very much like America's Memorial
Day, in that its considered a day to honor Australian veterans who died in war.
In Great Britain, the day is commemorated by church services and parades of
ex-service members in Whitehall, a wide ceremonial avenue leading from London's
Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square. Wreaths of poppies are left at the Cenotaph,
a war memorial in Whitehall, which was built after the First World War. At the
Cenotaph and elsewhere in the country, a two-minute silence is observed at 11
a.m., to honor those who lost their lives in wars.
Have You Hugged Your Veteran Today?
One of the most personal and meaningful Veterans Day activities for people is to send notes or cards to hospitalized veterans or those living in veterans homes. Or, better yet, visit a veteran in a local veterans hospital or veterans home. The best way to have a "happy Veterans Day" is to do something special to make a veteran happy.
