It all began with
Armistice Day, a day set aside to remember those who died during the First
World War. November 11 became the legal holiday in 1938, and after the end of
World War Two, the name was changed to Veterans Day – a day set aside to honor all
veterans of the armed forces.
It was President
Dwight Eisenhower who signed the bill in 1953 proclaiming November 11 as Veteran’s
Day. Emporia Kansas resident Alvin J. King had contacted his congressman and
requested the day be set aside to honor all veterans from all wars and
conflicts. The first national observance occurred in 1954.
This year, Veterans
Day will mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two, the 70th
anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, and the 30th anniversary
of the end of the Panama Invasion, and the beginning of Desert Shield.
Veterans Day is
celebrated each year with parades, dedications and speeches. Here are just a few scheduled for this year.
The
National Veterans Day Ceremony held at Arlington Cemetery begins with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It continues with an event at the
Memorial Amphitheatre. These events are free and open to the public.
New York’s Veterans
Day Parade, the country’s largest celebration for veterans, will be held as
scheduled in New York City. An entire week of festivities and socially distant events
including a Veterans Day
Motorcade, a motorcycle ride and wreath-laying ceremonies. The Veterans Day Salute will
be broadcast on WABC and live streamed on www.Military.com.
The “Founding City”
of Veterans Day, Emporia Kansas, will host a multi-day event. The All Veterans
Tribute will run during the month of November and include a veteran art exhibit, a Freedom
Fest Run and memorial services.
The Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund (VVMF) has announced that the annual ceremony at The Wall will
not be held this year. They will however hold a virtual ceremony on November 11
at 1pm ET. You can attend through Facebook www.facebook.com/VietnamVeteransMemorialFund
or on the VVMF website www.vvmf.org/honorservice
Other cities and
town around the country will celebrate the day, or the weekend before or after, with civil war encampments,
military vehicle displays, and rousing speeches and performances.
For a more
comprehensive list visit www.Military.com.
Today, more than 1
million active-duty personnel are serving in the United States military. More
than 800,00 make up the reserved forces. And there are more than 24.9 million veterans living in the US.
Take time Wednesday
to honor and remember those who fight to protect our country. Happy Veterans
Day!
~ Joy
It was President
Dwight Eisenhower who signed the bill in 1953 proclaiming November 11 as Veteran’s
Day. Emporia Kansas resident Alvin J. King had contacted his congressman and
requested the day be set aside to honor all veterans from all wars and
conflicts. The first national observance occurred in 1954. 
This year, Veterans
Day will mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two, the 70th
anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, and the 30th anniversary
of the end of the Panama Invasion, and the beginning of Desert Shield.
The
National Veterans Day Ceremony held at Arlington Cemetery begins with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It continues with an event at the
Memorial Amphitheatre. These events are free and open to the public.
New York’s Veterans
Day Parade, the country’s largest celebration for veterans, will be held as
scheduled in New York City. An entire week of festivities and socially distant events
including a Veterans Day
Motorcade, a motorcycle ride and wreath-laying ceremonies. The Veterans Day Salute will
be broadcast on WABC and live streamed on www.Military.com.
The Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund (VVMF) has announced that the annual ceremony at The Wall will
not be held this year. They will however hold a virtual ceremony on November 11
at 1pm ET. You can attend through Facebook www.facebook.com/VietnamVeteransMemorialFund
or on the VVMF website www.vvmf.org/honorservice
Today, more than 1
million active-duty personnel are serving in the United States military. More
than 800,00 make up the reserved forces. And there are more than 24.9 million veterans living in the US.
