Veterans Day

Where does the term “veteran” come from? Originally the word veteran meant” a person of long experience” or skill. Initially the term veteran became associated with former soldiers of old age who had fought for independence. As time went on “veteran” was used to describe any former member of the armed forces or a person who served in the military.

How Veteran’s Day Came To Be   How Veteran’s Day Came To Be Veterans Day originated in 1919 when World War 1 had a cease fire after 4 years of conflict and was originally called Armistice Day. Veterans Day honored all those soldiers who served in wartime

Why November 11? Fighting in World War I ceased between Germany and the Allied Nations on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

The First Veterans Day 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 White House Office October 8, 1954 Dear Mr 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  President Eisenhower signs HR7786, officially changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

The First Veterans Day Celebration The 1st celebration using the term Veterans Day occurred in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1947. Raymond Weeks (World War II veteran) organized “National Veterans Day,” which included a parade and other festivities to honor veterans.

The Poppy The poppy has become the symbol of remembrance for all the soldiers who have died in world wars.

Why the Poppy? Wild poppies grew in trenches and war zones. Soldiers were reminded of the blood of their fallen comrades.

Buffalo Soldiers

Veteran’s Day Customs We honor all the people (men & women) that fought in the Armed forces, dead or alive. Put out ribbons with flowers

Veterans Day Symbols This image shows the branches of the military that are being honored on Veterans Day. This image shows veterans from different wars and how they are all honored.

Lest We Forget Every year on November 11, ceremonies around the world salute all the soldiers who have died for their countries.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier This is a memorial to a nation's war dead, adopted by many countries after World War I. The Tomb of the Unknowns is a memorial to the American dead of World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, is in Arlington National Cemetery, just outside Washington, D.C. On Nov. 11, 1921, an unidentified soldier who had been killed in France was buried there in a temporary crypt over which a marble slab was placed; the completed tomb, a sarcophagus of Colorado marble placed on the original base, was dedicated as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Nov. 11, 1932. On Memorial Day, 1958, the bodies of two other unknown soldiers—one of whom had died in World War II, the other during the Korean War—were buried in the tomb, which was renamed the Tomb of the Unknowns. Remains of an unknown soldier from the Vietnam War were interred here in 1984, but later investigations revealed the soldier's identity, and they were removed. Deciding that scientific advances, including DNA tests, had made Vietnam War or future unknowns unlikely, the Pentagon announced (1999) that no new remains would be placed in the memorial. The best known of other such memorials are those in Westminster Abbey in London and under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Similar tombs are in Baghdad, Russia, and elsewhere.

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