Thank a veteran

Logan Dailey
Posted 11/11/20

Nov. 11 marks the 101st anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson’s proclamation of Armistice Day.

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Thank a veteran

Posted

Nov. 11 marks the 101st anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson’s proclamation of Armistice Day. The Treaty of Versailles was signed June 28, 1919, but fighting had ceased prior to that date. 

On Nov. 11, 1918, an armistice between the allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Thus, causing Wilson to establish Armistice Day and recognize it on Nov. 11.

On June 4, 1926, Congress passed a resolution that officially recognized the date as the conclusion of WWI. In the resolution, the Senate and House of Representatives asked the president of the United States “to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on Nov. 11 and inviting 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.”

On May 13, 1938, an act was approved that made Nov. 11 a legal holiday in each year. Then on June 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill that changed the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day. 

The Uniform Holiday Bill was signed into law on June 28, 1968, setting all holidays on Mondays so that federal employees would have a three-day weekend for all holidays.

Many veteran groups and citizens protested this establishment and demanded Veterans Day be celebrated on Nov. 11. In response, on Sept. 20, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a new law which re-established Veteran’s Day to its original day of observance, Nov. 11, beginning in 1978.

Since Nov. 11, 1978, Veterans Day has been recognized and observed on Nov. 11. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, observing Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11 recognizes and preserves the historical significance of the date and ensures a celebration to honor American veterans.

Veterans Day is observed to recognize the service and sacrifice of all United States veterans, not just those who have died in battle. United States veterans have served in many wars, in many locations and under some of the direst of circumstances. In those situations, some veterans come home to fight their own battles with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide; just to name a few.

Take a moment and check-in on the veterans in your life. Many of these life-altering mental health disorders can be hard for veterans to talk about but opening the conversation to them could save a life. If you are a veteran who is considering suicide call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, text 838255 or visit veteranscrisisline.net.

This Veterans Day let’s take a moment to recognize those who gave their lives for their country, their family and their friends. Let’s thank those who made it home for stepping up and doing what many Americans could never imagine. Let’s welcome those servicemembers home who came back to an angered homeland. Let’s not forget their service.

This Veterans Day, fly the American flag. Consider sending a donation to veteran aid programs. Consider sending a care package to the troops who are overseas and abroad. Consider volunteering for the local American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

Another way to show veterans your appreciation and support is to wear a red poppy. Red poppies are handmade by veterans of red crepe paper and can be purchased from the American Legion or at emblem.legion.org/. 

According to the United States Department of Defense and Department of Veteran Affairs, around 675,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and guardsmen have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country from World War I to the present. Don’t let their sacrifice be forgotten.