 |
| Signing of the Armistice |
Today
is Veterans Day in the United States.
It is an annual holiday we set aside to honor those who have served in
our armed forces. It originally
began as Armistice Day on November 11, 1918 at 11 A.M. when the end of World
War One was declared and the German and Allies signed the Armistice agreement
in Compeigne, France.  |
| President Woodrow Wilson |
One
year later, in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the day a
holiday. Wilson said, “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.”
 |
| President Calvin Coolidge |
Then
in 1926, President Calvin Coolidge issued another declaration for November 11
to be held as an observance of Veterans Day in the U.S. Twelve years later, in 1938, Armistice
Day became a legal holiday.
 |
| Korean War Veterans Statues |
It
was 1953 when shoe repair storeowner Stephan Riod suggested that Armistice Day
be expanded to include all living veterans who had fought in a war for this
country. U.S. Representative John
Salper sponsored the bill in Congress, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower
signed it into law on May 26, 1954.
Veterans Day would officially be celebrated on November 11 each year.
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| Eagles of War |
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| President Gerald Ford |
Then
in 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed, calling for all federal
holidays to fall on a Monday. This
lasted until 1978 when President Ford moved Veterans Day back to November 11,
regardless of what day of the week it falls on.
The
Buddy Poppy is a familiar sight on Veterans Day. Started in 1922, the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) became
the first veteran’s organization to sell the poppies on street corners nationally. Disabled and needy veterans still assemble
the poppies. They are then sold by other veterans to provide financial
assistance for disabled veterans and their families, along with the orphans,
widows and widowers of U.S. vets. Almost 90 years later and this tradition continues. |
| Tomb of the Unknowns |
Ceremonies
and parades are held round the country each Veterans Day at national, regional
and small town cemeteries around America.
One
of the most famous is held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington,
Virginia. At 11 A.M., a wreath is
placed at the Tomb of the Unknowns, also known as the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, by the U.S. Army. This is
one of only three events held each year at Arlington that is open to the
public.
Today,
Veterans Day is a national celebration in America, held each November 11th to
honor living veterans and thank them for their service to our country.  |
| President Dwight D. Eisenhower |
President
Eisenhower expressed his wishes for this day 55 years ago, “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”
 |
| Remember- Freedom has a price A Poppy, in tribute to all the brave veterans who risked their lives past and present, so we might have a future. |
So
to all the vets out there – Thank You for your dedication, unselfishness, and the
sacrifices made in the line of duty serving our country! We appreciate you!!
~
Joy
