Veterans' Day

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION FOR VETERANS DAY

COLIN POWELL'S THOUGHTS ON PEARL HARBOR ANNIVERSARY

THE HISTORY OF

VETERANS DAY

When the end came to World War I, November 11, 1919 was set aside to commemorate the sacrifices made by American soldiers to gain a lasting peace for the world. Called Armistice Day, soldiers who survived the war marched in parades through their home towns. Dignitaries and veterans made speeches and held ceremonies of thanks for the peace that had been won. Had WWI been the "war to end all wars," we would probably still observe Armistice Day today. After WWII, Armistice Day continued to be observed, but Americans realized that there was a need to recognize those who had made sacrifices in other conflicts.

In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day, and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. He issued a Presidential Order directing the head of the Veterans Administration, now the Department of Veterans Affairs, to form a Veterans Day National Committee to organize and oversee the national observance of Veterans Day. November 11 was designated as Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars. In 1971 President Nixon declared it a federal holiday on the second Monday in November, but it became apparent that November 11 was too historically significant to bypass, so in 1978 Congress formally returned the observance of Veterans Day to the customary date of November 11.

This Veterans Day, ceremonies and observances will be held throughout the country--prayer services, rallies, assembly programs, parades, patriotic speeches, and graveside flag displays. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington D.C. where thousands of service personnel are buried, is the focus of the nation's tribute on Veterans Day.

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION FOR VETERANS DAY

"On Veterans Day, let us pause to reflect on the sacrifices of all of those who have put on the uniform to serve in the United States military. Let us honor our veterans, who proved their heroism and love of country time and again, from Yorktown and Gettysburg to Iwo Jima and the Persian Gulf. They consistently defended our ideals across the globe; and they continue to inspire those who defend America today, half a world away. More than a million have died in service to America; and more than a million and a half have been wounded. Some sustained serious injuries in combat and now live with disabilities. Our Nation will always be grateful for the noble sacrifices made by these veterans. We can never adequately repay them. But we can honor and respect them for their service.

As we consider the sacrifices and efforts of our veterans, we must never forget that freedom comes at a cost."

--George W. Bush, October 30, 2001

Colin Powell

"We must not forget the past. We must not forget those who sacrificed, but we must also remember the reason for their sacrifice. They died so tyranny would die. They died to create a better world for those of us who followed them. Their sacrifice was not in vain."

--Secretary of State Colin Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, observing the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor,

December 7, 1991.

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"I regret that I have but one life to give for my country."

--Nathan Hale

If any information is not found to be public domail, please let me know immediately so that I may remove it. Most of the information has been received by emails and articles from students and friends.


	THE HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION FOR VETERANS DAY COLIN POWELL'S THOUGHTS ON PEARL HARBOR ANNIVERSARY THE HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY When the end came to World War I, November 11, 1919 was set aside to commemorate the sacrifices made by American soldiers to gain a lasting peace for the world. Called Armistice Day, soldiers who survived the war marched in parades through their home towns. Dignitaries and veterans made speeches and held ceremonies of thanks for the peace that had been won. Had WWI been the "war to end all wars," we would probably still observe Armistice Day today. After WWII, Armistice Day continued to be observed, but Americans realized that there was a need to recognize those who had made sacrifices in other conflicts. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day, and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. He issued a Presidential Order directing the head of the Veterans Administration, now the Department of Veterans Affairs, to form a Veterans Day National Committee to organize and oversee the national observance of Veterans Day. November 11 was designated as Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars. In 1971 President Nixon declared it a federal holiday on the second Monday in November, but it became apparent that November 11 was too historically significant to bypass, so in 1978 Congress formally returned the observance of Veterans Day to the customary date of November 11. This Veterans Day, ceremonies and observances will be held throughout the country--prayer services, rallies, assembly programs, parades, patriotic speeches, and graveside flag displays. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington D.C. where thousands of service personnel are buried, is the focus of the nation's tribute on Veterans Day. PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION FOR VETERANS DAY "On Veterans Day, let us pause to reflect on the sacrifices of all of those who have put on the uniform to serve in the United States military. Let us honor our veterans, who proved their heroism and love of country time and again, from Yorktown and Gettysburg to Iwo Jima and the Persian Gulf. They consistently defended our ideals across the globe; and they continue to inspire those who defend America today, half a world away. More than a million have died in service to America; and more than a million and a half have been wounded. Some sustained serious injuries in combat and now live with disabilities. Our Nation will always be grateful for the noble sacrifices made by these veterans. We can never adequately repay them. But we can honor and respect them for their service. As we consider the sacrifices and efforts of our veterans, we must never forget that freedom comes at a cost." --George W. Bush, October 30, 2001 Colin Powell "We must not forget the past. We must not forget those who sacrificed, but we must also remember the reason for their sacrifice. They died so tyranny would die. They died to create a better world for those of us who followed them. Their sacrifice was not in vain." --Secretary of State Colin Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, observing the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1991. Back to Top "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country." --Nathan Hale If any information is not found to be public domail, please let me know immediately so that I may remove it. Most of the information has been received by emails and articles from students and friends.