We wanted to take some time today and honor the brave men and women – currently nearly 24 million strong – that provide us with the security we need to live the lives we lead. Perhaps more today than in recent days past, we may take for granted the liberties that allow us to freely speak our minds, vocalize our choices, and enjoy basic freedoms that others have fought to provide to us. Before we begin describing what Veterans Day is and how it came to be, we want to be emphatically clear that we are so proud to be able to say “Thank You” to each and everyone who has ever served. Your sacrifices are appreciated and our respect for you is endless.
Veterans Day began on the 1 year anniversary of the ending of World War I. As a result, it was originally called “Armistice Day” and was first observed on November 11, 1919. It became slightly more “official” in 1926 when a resolution was passed declaring it a day of national observance. 12 years later in 1938 it earned the status of “National Holiday.” Finally, in 1954 it was renamed Veterans Day in order to more broadly honor any member of our military – alive and dead – that served whether in peacetime or war. Congress briefly toyed with the notion of changing the date of Veterans Day back in 1968 however, in 1975 Gerald Ford helped bring the date back to the original anniversary in order to maintain its symbolic tie to the end of the Great War.
Often confused with Memorial Day, Veterans Day as mentioned above takes pride in bringing attention to “All Who’ve Served.” Whether on the battlefield or in training, whether alive today or long since passed, we pay tribute to them all. We acknowledge on this day the brave and selfless choice made to serve the greater good and to safeguard those things we hold most dear. In doing so we join other nations also bringing attention to the same cause. Due to the fact that so many nations still remember and celebrate the end of World War I, Great Britain, Canada, Belgium and others celebrate their veterans on the same day – often retaining the title of Armistice Day.
Finally, a surprising fact – It is intentional that there is no apostrophe in the official title “Veterans Day.” According to the US Dept of Veterans Affairs:
“Veterans Day does not include an apostrophe but does include an “s” at the end of “veterans” because it is not a day that “belongs” to veterans, it is a day for honoring all veterans.”
So if you are a veteran, or the family and friends of one that shared in their sacrifice we say again, “Thank You.”
If we can show our gratitude by directing you towards programs and partners specifically focused on Veteran services let us know. It would be our honor to assist.