Veteran's Day

[Tuly]

Dad, often sings the National Anthem and other songs at the El Toro Cemetary. I have gone to some of those programs and they are very inspiring. We do live in a blessed nation. Here then is the history of Veteran's Day.
1918

World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities—in this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918.


1919

November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first 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 original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public mettings.


1920

On the second anniversary of the armistice, France and the United Kingdom hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war. In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson names the Sunday nearest Armistice Day Sunday, on which should be held services in the interest of international peace.

1921

Congress passes legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 is chosen for the date of the ceremony. According on October 20, Congress declares November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success.


1926

Congress adopts a resolution directing the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal holiday and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the President.


1938

Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November 11 a legal Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no ‘actual’ national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But in practice the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays.

1941- 1945
1950- 1953

World War II and the Korean War create millions of additional war veterans in addition to those of the First World War already honored by Armistice Day.

1954

On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day.


1968
Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law which established the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veteran’s Day. The law is to take effect in 1971.


1971-1975

The Federal observance of Veterans Day is held on the fourth Monday of October. Initially all states follow suit except Mississippi and South Dakota. Other states changed their observances back to November 11 as follows: 1972- Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974- Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975- California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming


1975

Legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veteran’s Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation. Since the change to the fourth Monday in October, 46 states had either continued to commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to the original date based on popular sentiment. The law was to take effect in 1978.


1978

Veteran’s Day observance reverts to November 11.

[Edward]

I now proclaim you experts on Veteran's Day.

[Tuly]

It is so easy to overlook the blessings we have received from the sacrifice of our veterans.
Happy Veteran's Day all!!!

When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep? ~George Canning

[Tuly]

Emma, Angela, the boys and I were bemoaning how all the Christmas decorations are up in all the stores. And how the stores have forgotten Thanksgiving let alone Veteran's Day. Oliver asked "what do we do in Veteran's Day?" - I said we think about all the soldiers that died for us in war, Oliver said my favorite one is Nephi. Wow! we were all impressed by that comment, not only is Nephi very real to Oliver but Nephi as well as many of our Book Of Mormon heroes are Veteran's!

1919

November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first 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 original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public meetings.

[Ann]

Great insight on who veterans are. Thanks Oliver! I have gained an appreciation for our nation's veterans from my grandfather and his brother and from the many veterans I have cared for over the past five years in the VA hospitals in Utah and Indiana. My grandfather served in the Korean War and his brother, Chris, served for 20 years in the Navy, initially during WWII. Uncle Chris has a collection of thousands of photographs and newspaper clippings from his years in the service - these are on display throughout his home and two sheds in his yard. I have been touched and often horrified by what the vets have experienced - they have shared with me so many stories that were and still are a part of them - from sinking submarines and bombing raids, to certain key operations in Vietnam, the war in the Pacific, Iwo Jima, Iraq, Afghanistan, to memories of what they saw in communist China, POW camps, and Japan after the atomic bombs were dropped. The decision to go to war impacts so many lives and causes much more destruction and tragedy than what is measured in casualty counts. I am grateful for those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom, but feel that we take it for granted far too often.

[Ian]

i didn't know about your veteran relatives, thanks for sharing.

[John]

Nor was I aware. I hold in the very highest regard these men and women who devote themselves to military service and who honor our freedom with their sacrifices. Kudos, Ann, to your relations.
My own father was heartbroken that the Air Force would not accept him for service in WWII. It was the reason why he chose a career in the Civil Service. He spent his professional life in the General Services Administration, and both he and my mother were passionately patriotic.
Additionally, you will remember that our ancestors fought in the American revolution and were among the patriots who established independence and our freedom.

"Oh thus be it ever when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation.
Blessed with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n-rescued land
Praise the hands that have made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto, "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner, oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!"

[Tuly]

It has been a while since I have gone to hear dad sing at the El Toro Cemetery Veteran's Ceremony. I learned from a WW II survivor who was in a Japanese concentration camp - the she suffers "survivor guilt" - also called survivor syndrome it's a mental condition that occurs when a person perceives themselves to have done wrong by surviving a traumatic event when others did not.
I loved hearing dad sing and show my respect and gratitude to all those veteran's who have made it possible for me to live in this beautiful land.

[Tuly]

This is from Music and the Spoken Word.

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

On November 11, 1918, at 11:00 in the morning, warring nations agreed to an armistice—a truce—and World War I came to an end. Bombing and gunfire ceased, soldiers returned to their families, and the war-scarred land rested and began to heal. Years later, the 11th day of the 11th month became a national day of remembrance—Veterans Day, a day "dedicated to the cause of world peace."1 Yet it wasn’t long before, once again, the sounds of war would be heard and soldiers would be called upon to serve their country in defense of freedom.

Yes, history has taught us that the cause of peace needs more than one dedicated day per year. Today Veterans Day is a celebration that honors the veterans not just for what they have done in times of war but also what they continue to do to promote the dream of peace.

Indeed, some of the world’s most courageous and effective peacemakers are our veterans—those who know firsthand the cost of war, because it is a cost they have paid personally.

To give just one example, not long after Veterans Day was first established, Congress chartered the American Legion as a patriotic veterans’ organization. Today the American Legion has grown from a small group of World War I veterans to an influential organization of nearly two and a half million. Through its programs and services, the legion seeks "to preserve the memories" of the wars of the past, "to promote peace and good will on earth," and "to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy."2

Such noble aims should inspire all of us—those who have served in the armed forces and those who have been blessed by their service—to dedicate ourselves to the cause of peace, not just on the 11th day of the 11th month, but always. We can remember with reverence and gratitude the sacrifices made in times of war. We can make peace in our families, in our communities, and in our hearts. And we can teach the next generation to cherish the blessings of freedom that our veterans won for us. As we do, we will learn the truth of the words "Blessed are the peacemakers."3

1. In U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “History of Veterans Day,” va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp.
2. American Legion, “Preamble to the Constitution,” legion.org/preamble.
3. Matthew 5:9.

[Tuly]

Remember our Veteran's we owe them so much. Mostly our freedom. Dad went to the El Toro Cemetery to sing for Veteran's day today.