VETERANS DAY: THE ORIGIN STORY

[VaporJoe]

The very powerful painting of the Vietnam Memorial​

In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world rejoiced and celebrated. After four years of bitter war, an armistice was signed. The "war to end all wars" was over.

November 11, 1919 was set aside as Armistice Day in the United States, to remember the sacrifices that men and women made during World War I in order to ensure a lasting peace. On Armistice Day, soldiers who survived the war marched in a parade through their home towns.

Politicians and veteran officers gave speeches and held ceremonies of thanks for the peace they had won.

Congress voted Armistice Day a federal holiday in 1938, 20 years after the war ended. But Americans realized that the previous war would not be the last one. World War II began the following year and nations great and small again participated in a bloody struggle. After the Second World War, Armistice Day continued to be observed on November 11.

In 1953 townspeople in Emporia, Kansas called the holiday Veterans' Day in gratitude to the veterans in their town. Soon after, Congress passed a bill introduced by a Kansas congressman renaming the federal holiday to Veterans' Day.

Almost 100 years later the holiday is celebrated on the 11th day of the 11th month - and most ceremonies still start at the 11th hour.

Click here to get more information on this deal....

 

[BigNasty]

I had the Honor of meeting a couple of WW1 vets and sitting with them visiting for a while.
Granted it was over 20 years ago But being able to hear what trench warfare, mustard gas attacks and bi planes were like first hand...humbling to say the least.

Joe thank you for posting this.

 

[marksfish59]

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, or the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

 

[rakkwarrior]

Thanks so much for posting this. I dont say much and more so forum lurk, but you made this Combat Veteran feel like it (our brothers and sisters) matter here.

Thanks again...Ne Desit Virtus

 

[pete67]

Thanks for this post. As a vet it means alot.