Veterans Day 2013

November 11, 1918: The Armistice

World War I is often called "the Great War". It is the war that was supposed to be the last war. On November 11 at 11 a.m. in 1918, there is an armistice – a cease fire. It is the first step toward peace.

Arlington National Cemetery, the traditional Veterans Day stick flags.

Armistice Day was made a federal holiday in 1926. Each year, the President was required to issue a proclamation declaring November 11 as a federal holiday. 

That tradition continues today even though Armistice Day officially became Veterans Day in 1954. 

The new holiday, created by Congress under President Eisenhower, was given a new name as well as a new emphasis: Veterans Day is a day to recognize all our soldiers from all of our wars.

Milford, CT 2013 Veterans Day parade. (Photo: Brian Pounds)

The Veterans Day Proclamation, 2013

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On Veterans Day, America pauses to honor every service member who has ever worn one of our Nation's uniforms. Each time our country has come under attack, they have risen in her defense. Each time our freedoms have come under assault, they have responded with resolve. Through the generations, their courage and sacrifice have allowed our Republic to flourish. And today, a Nation acknowledges its profound debt of gratitude to the patriots who have kept it whole.

As we pay tribute to our veterans, we are mindful that no ceremony or parade can fully repay that debt. We remember that our obligations endure long after the battle ends, and we make it our mission to give them the respect and care they have earned. When America's veterans return home, they continue to serve our country in new ways, bringing tremendous skills to their communities and to the workforce -- leadership honed while guiding platoons through unbelievable danger, the talent to master cutting-edge technologies, the ability to adapt to unpredictable situations. These men and women should have the chance to power our economic engine, both because their talents demand it and because no one who fights for our country should ever have to fight for a job.

This year, in marking the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, we resolved that in the United States of America, no war should be forgotten, and no veteran should be overlooked. Let us always remember our wounded, our missing, our fallen, and their families. And as we continue our responsible drawdown from the war in Afghanistan, let us welcome our returning heroes with the support and opportunities they deserve.

Under the most demanding of circumstances and in the most dangerous corners of the earth, America's veterans have served with distinction. With courage, self-sacrifice, and devotion to our Nation and to one another, they represent the American character at its best. On Veterans Day and every day, we celebrate their immeasurable contributions, draw inspiration from their example, and renew our commitment to showing them the fullest support of a grateful Nation.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service members have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation's veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2013, as Veterans Day. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I call on all Americans, including civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, and communities to support this day with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA

 Let it fly!

Veteran's Day: 11.11.2011

A US Marine holding a folded memorial or interment flag.

From President Obama's proclamation recognizing November 11, Veteran's Day, as an annual federal holiday...

 

On Veterans Day, we come together to pay tribute to the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Americans across this land commemorate the patriots who have risked their lives to preserve the liberty of our Nation, the families who support them, and the heroes no longer with us. It is not our weapons or our technology that make us the most advanced military in the world; it is the unparalleled spirit, skill, and devotion of our troops. As we honor our veterans with ceremonies on this day, let our actions strengthen the bond between a Nation and her warriors.

America’s sons and daughters have not watched over her shores or her citizens for public recogni­tion, fanfare, or parades. They have preserved our way of life with unwavering patriotism and quiet courage, and ours is a debt of honor to care for them and their families. These obligations do not end after their time of service, and we must fulfill our sacred trust to care for our veterans after they retire their uniforms.

As a grateful Nation, we are humbled by the sacrifices rendered by our service members and their families out of the deepest sense of service and love of country. On Veterans Day, let us remember our solemn obligations to our veterans, and recommit to upholding the enduring principles that our country lives for, and that our fellow citizens have fought and died for.

From Armistice Day to Veterans Day...

At 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918 a cease fire is declared. This is the first step to end World War I, the Great War, the war everyone thought was so awful that surely it would be the last war. 

Every year after that first Armistice Day in 1918, the holiday was celebrated all over the world with parades to honor the war dead as well as to celebrate a world at peace. 

It is from that first celebration that the current Veteran's Day has its roots, a holiday that has come to honor all veterans, both survivors as well as the war dead, from the Great War and beyond. This and Memorial Day our two holidays when it is customary for families to place stick flags on their veterans' graves.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with Honor Guard

On November 11, 1921, Congress passes new legislation to create the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial to stand in Arlington National Cemetery in honor of our soldiers who died unknown in combat. 

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is presided over by a special honor guard 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. While customs vary from country to country, most nations do have their own memorial to the Unknown Soldier. To read about the history of the guard and their particular customs, visit their link here.

In 1926, the United States government passes legislation making November 11 a federal holiday. Part of the legislation for Armistice Day requires that the president read the proclamation anew each year. This tradition still continues.

In 1954, new legislation is passed giving Armsitice Day a new name and a new emphasis. The legislation, signed by President Eisenhower, turns Armistice Day into Veteran's Day. Still a federal holiday and still requiring the president to declare it anew each year, Veteran's Day is meant to remember all the soldiers from all of the wars, including those who died as well as those who fought most recently in World War II and in the Korean War.

Eisenhower signing Veteran's Day legislation, 1954

From President Eisenhower's Veteran's Day Proclamation...

 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.

In 1978, Veteran's Day, which had been celebrated in October in some states and in November in other states (confusion arising from the new Monday holiday law from the 1970's), is formally returned to November 11. 

The Department of Veteran's Affairs has made this video explaining Veteran's Day:

 

The art of Veteran's Day ....

The 2011 official Veteran's Day poster:

The 2010 poster is a history of the United States as seen through the battlefields, from Lexington to Basra.

The 1995 poster memorialized the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. The hands of an old soldier, once a young hero, are a poignant nod to the history or war and peace:

Let if fly! 
To find find out how to fly the flag and other flag etiquette, see USFlagstore's  Flag Etiquette 101 and USFlagstore's How to Fly the Flag at Half-Staff.