VETERAN’S DAY NOV. 11, 2011

WHO IS A VETERAN Who is a Veteran?  Veterans are people who served in the military (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) in times of war or peace. Who do you know who is a veteran? Maybe it is your mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, grandfather, grandmother, cousin, neighbor, or teacher. You can be very proud of them. Many have given much to keep us safe and free.

DOG TAGS Make a dog tag for anyone you know that served or is serving in any Military service: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard. Include: name, Branch of Service, Years of service (if you know), Accomplishments: wars fought in, Honors received. Colors: Army- red & black; Navy- white &black; Air Force- blue & black; Marines- green & black.

Veteran’s Day 2011 http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/index.asp

WHAT IS VETERAN’S DAY On a Veterans Day we thank and honor those who served in the military. Veterans Day is observed on November 11th of each year. This day used to be called Armistice Day.

ALL MILITARY SERVICES

ARMISTICE DAY Veterans Day, used to be known as Armistice Day. It was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

World War I “The Great War” The war ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. Fighting ended seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary ending of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities.  This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect

ORIGINAL IDEA In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections 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 which 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 nations…" The original idea for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Changes in Veteran’s Day In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

First Veteran’s Day Proclamation Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. From left: Alvin J. King, Wayne Richards, Arthur J. Connell, John T. Nation, Edward Rees, Richard L. Trombla, Howard W. Watts

The White House Office October 8, 1954 Dear Mr. Higley: I have today signed a proclamation calling upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 as Veterans Day. It is my earnest hope that all veterans, their organizations, and the entire citizenry will join hands to insure proper and widespread observance of this day. With the thought that it will be most helpful to coordinate the planning, I am suggesting the formation of a Veterans Day National Committee. In view of your great personal interest as well as your official responsibilities, I have designated you to serve as Chairman. You may include in the Committee membership such other persons as you desire to select and I am requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch to assist the Committee in its work in every way possible. I have every confidence that our Nation will respond wholeheartedly in the appropriate observance of Veterans Day, 1954. Sincerely, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

Veteran’s Day http://www.history.com/topics/history-of-veterans-day/videos#history-of-veterans-day

Take a minute Join us in celebrating Veterans Day with this video montage of USAF, USMC, USCG, Navy and Army footage from WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, Somalia, Grenada, the gulf wars and Afghanistan. http://www.military.com/video/specialties-and-personnel/veterans/militarycom-celebrate-our-veterans/666271426001/

Read the article and answer the Questions.

For you to do… Draw a picture of Veterans Day, and what this holiday means to them. Make a thank you card for veterans. We can give this card to veterans that you know or to veterans who are listed through the local VA medical facility.

For Teachers Teach your children about the history of Veterans Day by having them create a time line of events leading to the observance of the holiday. 2. Have your kids write short articles or essays of how veterans are honored around the world. And if you know any veterans locally, propose that your kids interview them about what it's like to serve in the U.S. military. 3. Research how American veterans were treated after they returned from various military conflicts, ranging from the French and Indian War to the Persian Gulf War. Ask your children to compare and contrast their findings. Also compare and contrast how women and minorities who served in those conflicts were treated. 4. Have children draw a picture of Veterans Day, and what this holiday means to them. Military children can draw a picture of a parent who is currently deployed, or a relative who has served. 5. Make a thank you card for veterans. Children can give this card to veterans that they know or to veterans who are listed through the local VA medical facility. 6. Ask your children's teacher to invite veterans to their classroom. Veterans can discuss what it's like to serve in the military, and how important it is to observe this holiday. 7. Have your kids make a colorful and fun poster with the names and pictures of relatives who are veterans. There are a variety of ways to celebrate Veterans Day with your children. And teaching children about the significance of this holiday will help give them a deep appreciation of our nation's servicemembers and veterans.