Veterans Day – November 11th
Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1918.
Its purpose: to commemorate the end of World War I.
Armistice (temporary cessation of hostilities) Day was officially renamed “Veterans Day” in 1954 to honor all who served the nation in wars or conflicts. (Archives.gov)
| America’s Wars Total | |
| U.S. Military Service During War | 41,891,368 |
| Deaths (In Theater) | 959,830 |
| Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater) | 230,279 |
| Living War Veterans | 17,456,000 |
| Living Veterans (War & Peacetime) | 23,442,000 |
| Sources: DOD, VA | |
American Minute for November 11th:
The 11th hour of the 11TH DAY OF THE 11TH MONTH of 1918, World War I ended. Though the Armistice was signed at 5:00 AM, fighting continued till 11:00 AM, killing nearly 11,000 more men. In 1921, President Warren Harding had the remains of an unknown soldier killed in France buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. Inscribed on the Tomb are the words: “Here lies in honored glory an American soldier know but to God.”Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all U.S. Veterans. In 1958, President Eisenhower placed soldiers in the tomb from WWII and the Korean War. The soldier from Vietnam, buried by President Reagan in 1984, was identified by DNA tests as pilot Michael Blassie and was reburied in 1998 at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. On NOVEMBER 11, 1921, President Harding stated: “On the threshold of eternity, many a soldier, I can well believe, wondered how his ebbing blood would color the stream of human life, flowing on after his sacrifice…I can sense the prayers of our people…Let me join in that prayer. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come…”
Veterans, you are our heroes. Thank you for your service.
We will not forget your sacrifice to keep us free!
