Honor America's Veterans

History of Veterans Day

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities.  This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect

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 original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Later that same year, on October 8th, 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, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. From left: Alvin J. King, Wayne Richards, Arthur J. Connell, John T. Nation, Edward Rees, Richard L. Trombla, Howard W. Watts 

On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.

In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) 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. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. 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, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which 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.

From: http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

Really?

At the mall, today.

Poor guy will be whipped by Christmas!

Michael and Peyton came up and Susan and I went to lunch with them, and then we went to the mall. I think I'm going to start mall walking. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the Christmas decorations. And, poor Santa...he was bored!

Incredible. Just Incredible. AND Fastec Lock Recall

THIS will renew your faith in our youth. (hit "this" to watch)

I didn't want to make a special post for this, but was hoping that some of you who have a large readership would post the link. I got locked out of my trailer in Kentucky last year. Everyone, including myself, thought I was crazy. We had to drill through the lock on the door to get in.

Not long ago Fastec had a very large recall. It was what caused my lockout. They give a number to call, then send you a kit to replace the innards of the locks, and send and ask that you (at their expense) send the old parts back to them. It's a no hassle 3 minute call. Unfortunately, I checked the lock I replaced the old one with (after Kentucky) and it was bad, too. I'm waiting for one of my sons to come over to replace it for me. It's not that I can't do it, I can't read the fine printed instructions. HERE is the link to check the numbers. You can choose the word "HERE" or go here: http://tinyurl.com/kn2wuts 

Storm on The Oregon Coast

This is why I would love to spend a winter on the Oregon Coast. (Great footage from You Tube). 

(Press "This" for the link)

Ha Ha - Fooled Them

Just an update. Good thing dogs don't worry. I don't have cancer (whatever that is). They could tell after they stuck me with all those big needles. I have a large hematoma (whatever that is) on my spleen (whatever that is) and a benign tumor (whatever that is) on my kidney.

I'm not allowed to go on walks, and I have to be quiet--this time for only three weeks. Remember when I had to be quiet for almost a year? Then, Nancy will take me back to the my doctor to see if the hematoma (whatever that is) went away. If it didn't, she will decide what to do. In the meantime, Nancy is neurotic and checks my gums for color every hour or two. I guess if they change to white or grey, I'm going to my doctor or another doctor in a big hurry so they can take my spleen out (whatever that is).

This is my poor pitiful me look--pretty good, huh?

Thank you to everyone who wrote and called to say they care about me. It really means a lot. Between Nancy and me, it's a pretty boring life. Her doc is trying new meds and she goes for another MRI (whatever that is) next week. Again, thank you to all our friends for thinking of us.