Veterans Day is observed on November 11 in commemorating the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice between the Allies and Germany, declaring a cessation of WWI hostilities on the western front. It took effect at the 11th hour (am) of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
The official end of WWI came on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Due to the objections of the U.S. Congress, the U.S. never signed the Treaty of Versailles like the other Allies. The war did not officially end for the U.S. until a separate treaty with Germany was signed in August 1921. Immediately after Armistice Day, the focus of the celebrations was on the veterans of World War I. However, the day was always meant to honor all veterans of foreign wars who risked their lives on the battlefield to secure the freedoms of all Americans.
In 1926, Congress passed a resolution for an annual Armistice Day observance on Nov. 11. This day became a national holiday in 1938. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1971, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday in October but in 1975 it was returned to the iconic historic 11/11 date. Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living and dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) National Cemetery Administration maintains 155 national cemeteries in 42 states and Puerto Rico as well as 34 soldier’s lots and monument sites.
Honor our local veterans by attending the Poolesville Daniel-Jeffers American Legion Post 247 Veteran’s Day Celebration on Saturday, November 11th at 11 a.m.at the flagpole on Whelan Commons. Register for Poolesville Seniors Veterans’ Day presentation by local Butch Mezick: “Vietnam: A Marine’s Chronicle of Change.” Join us in-person at Speer Hall on November 16th at 7:00 p.m. for this fascinating recounting of a young man’s journey of change in Vietnam.