By Stan Clark
Veterans Day is the day set aside to honor those who have served our Country’s fighting forces. It was originally called Armistice Day in commemoration of the temporary cessation of hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany at the close of World War One. This occurred on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. 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 first Veterans Day observation included parades and public gatherings, as well as a brief pause in business activities at 11 AM. On November 11, 1921, an unidentified American soldier killed in the war was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. An official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.
Armistice Day evolved into Veterans Day through a series of acts of Congress that initially made it a National Holiday to honor Veterans of World War One and later to honor all Armed Forces personnel from all wars. This was done after the tremendous mobilization of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Guardsmen and Marines during World War II and Korea. In October 1954 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…”.
The Uniform Holiday Bill was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. On October 25, 1971 the first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, especially Veterans and on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed into law the legislation which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11th. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veteran’s service organizations and the American people.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, no matter on what day of the week it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day – A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day – a common misunderstanding. Memorial Day honors American service members who died in service to our country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans, living or dead. It especially gives thanks to living veterans who served our country honorably during war or peacetime and have preserved and protected our freedoms, liberties and way of life.
Thanks to all of you who have served!
Stan Clark is a United States Marine Veteran and the Adams County Director of Veterans Affairs. He can be reached at sclark@adamscountypa.gov or 717-337-9835 at the Adams County Courthouse.