Veterans Day occurs on Nov. 11. It was originally conceived as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. The holiday’s name changed in 1954 to honor all American service personnel past and present.
Flags are the traditional symbol of this holiday, given out by veterans, placed on grave sites, and displayed on homes and carried in parades. Our flag uniquely contrasts symbols of unity, division and shared history—50 stars and 13 stripes. Despite challenges, we commemorate the fact that we walk, talk and live more freely than we would otherwise. We owe a debt. Service and sacrifice protects freedom and encourages gratitude. To all those who serve and have served, including my father: Thank you.
Fun Facts: There is no apostrophe before or after the “s” in Veterans Day because the day does not belong to veterans; it acknowledges veterans. Veterans Day differs from Memorial Day in celebrating all those who served, living or dead while Memorial Day honors those who died in service.
Between 1971 and 1977 Veterans Day was celebrated on a Monday in accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed in 1968. In 1975, Gerald Ford restored observance to its historically designated time. The armistice of World War I—‘the war to end all wars’—failed to end war, and in the 1940s Armistice Day was difficult to celebrate, with much of Europe at war. A movement developed to replace Armistice Day with Mayflower Day honoring the ship that helped birth our nation since the Mayflower compact was signed on Nov. 11, 1620. It failed.
Since 1775, over 41 million men and women have served in our armed forces. In the Revolutionary War 217,000 (10% of the population) served; in World War I 4.8 million (5%); in World War II 16 million (12%); in the Korean War 6.8 million (2.7%); in the Vietnam War 8.7 million (4.3%); while all Mid-East / Afghanistan deployed equals 2 million (0.6%). Today, active duty and reserve armed forces men and women number 2.1 million, 0.6% of our population.
Adjacent to Veterans Day is the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. The Marines were formed by resolution of the Second Continental Congress on Nov. 10, 1775. Their motto: “Semper Fidelis – Always Faithful.” May it be so.
