Hometown Heroes: The Story of Veterans Day

On November 11^th we celebrate Veterans Day, a day to honor the heroes in our communities who answered the call to serve their country. Although we should be honoring these brave men and women every day, Veterans Day is marked with parades and celebrations in their honor. This holiday was originally called Armistice Day and was a day set aside to honor World War I veterans.

You may wonder why November 11^th is Veterans Day and why that date is so special. The reason stems from World War I. The official end of World War I is June 28, 1919 when the Treaty of Versailles was signed. However, several months earlier in 1918, fighting had ceased when an armistice, or truce, went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

In November 1919, President Wilson marked the commemoration of the first Armistice Day by saying: "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…"

Congress officially recognized November 11th as a legal holiday on June 4, 1926, calling for “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.” Then in 1938, November 11^th was approved as a yearly legal holiday to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to honor World War I veterans. At this point, it was still called Armistice Day.

It wasn’t until 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, that Armistice Day was officially changed to Veterans Day. Later that year, President 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."

Veterans Day has traditionally been celebrated on November 11^th except for several years in the 1970s when Congress tried moving the day to the fourth Monday in October as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act as a way to increase the number of three-day weekends for federal employees. Because of the historical importance of November 11^th and the fact that people still chose to celebrate on that date, November 11^th was restored as Veterans Day.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a common misunderstanding is the confusion between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Do you know the difference? Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American military who died in service to their country or because of injuries from battle. Veterans Day honors all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

This November 11^th, make a point of thanking every veteran you know and any you meet while out and about. Consider attending the Media Veterans Day Parade and cheering our veterans as they walk or drive past. We at Delaware County Magazine are always grateful for the service and sacrifices of our country’s military. We offer a heartfelt “Thank You” for dedicating themselves to the protection of the U.S. and our freedoms.