Veterans Day
Back in 1921, an American Soldier, his name only known to God, was buried on a Virginia hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, DC. The burial site of this unknown World War I soldier in Arlington National Cemetery symbolized dignity and reverence for America’s veterans.
Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an “unknown soldier” of the Great War was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe).
These memorial gestures all took place on November 11th, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I hostilities at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month) The day became known as Armistice Day.
Veterans Day is a day
TO HONOR VETERANS OF ALL WARS. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of Peace. He issued a Presidential Order directing the head of the Veterans Administration, now the Department of Veterans Affairs, to form a Veterans Day A National Committee to organize and oversee the national observance of Veterans Day. In addition to fulfilling that mission, the committee oversees the annual production and distribution of the annual Veterans Day poster.
Veterans Day pauses us as Americans to memorize all of Americans Wars:
Civil War (1861-1865)
World War I (1917-1918)
World War II (1941-1945)
Korean War (1950-1953)
Vietnam War (1964-1975)
Gulf War (1990-1991)
War on Terror (2001-present)
As an observance to Veterans Day Veterans of military service have organized support groups such as the
American Legion and
Veterans of Foreign Wars. On Veterans' Day and Memorial Day, these groups raise funds for their charitable activities by selling paper poppies made by disabled veterans. This bright red wildflower became a symbol of World War I after a bloody battle in a field of poppies called Flanders Field in Belgium. Make sure if you see one of these groups selling these that you take time out of your day and purchase one of these.
Thanks to all Veterans who have served during any and all of the conflicts that have hit our land, foreign and domestic.
The Thomas Ranch
