In the USA, Veterans Day annually falls on November 11. This day is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans are thanked for their services to the United States on Veterans Day.
Veterans Day is intended to honor and thank all military personnel who served the United States in all wars, particularly living veterans. It is marked by parades and church services and in many places the American flag is hung at half-mast. A period of silence lasting two minutes may be held at 11am. I think high noon is more appropriate and a stipulation.
Some schools are closed on Veterans Day, while others do not close, but choose to mark the occasion with special assemblies or other activities. I believe that all schools should be closed on Veterans Day for more reasons that can fit on this article but most importantly for our children, teachers, administrators, auxiliary personnel and bus drivers to be with their families who served, honor others who served and know that amongst all other holidays that this is the most important calendar day of the year besides their birthdays.
Military troops are deployed into action traditionally for a year but they can be anywhere from 6-18 months depending on the assigned mission and the levels of theatre deployment ready troops. Soldiers don’t only have to survive thousands of rounds, RPG’s and hidden IED’s every day but the intense heat, giant insects, traps and unsuspecting villagers looking to execute troops.
For Marines, as an example, you will have rotation cycles where you have a regiment of a similar size that consisted of four squadrons. These would be rotated in seven-month cycles. Which meant that we had about 7 months in country, then a year back home.
Being back stateside did not mean a picnic in the backyard with the family. It was back in Yuma in 118-degree heat preparing for your second tour and more training. Most soldiers/Veterans face 4 tours of duty or boots on the ground where they can be in the “on ground” in the fiercest gun battle against innumerable odds.” The American fighting soldier does not just fight for himself or herself selfishly. The American warrior fights for love of country, patriotic ideals, liberating people from the enemy, honor and most importantly camaraderie.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time. In 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the day should be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory”. There were plans for parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business activities at 11am.
In 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving. The Congress also requested that the president should “issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.”
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) was approved on May 13, 1938, which made November 11 in each year a legal holiday, known as Armistice Day. This day was originally intended to honor veterans of World War I. A few years later, World War II required the largest mobilization of service men in the history of the United States and the American forces fought in Korea. In 1954, the veterans service organizations urged Congress to change the word “Armistice” to “Veterans”. Congress approved this change and on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor all American veterans, where ever and whenever they had served.
In 1968 the Uniforms Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) made an attempt to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday of October. The bill took effect in 1971. However, this caused a lot of confusion as many states disagreed with this decision and continued to hold Veterans Day activities on November 11. In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which stated that Veterans Day would again be observed on November 11 from 1978 onwards. Veterans Day is still observed on November 11.
Even we veterans who have done our part see young and old service members and veterans — our grandchildren, sons, daughters, wives, husbands and grandparents — and we can’t begin to fathom what they’ve been through in the name of our freedom. The depth of experiences is vast, and the appreciation we have for them on all days, but especially this day, is deep.
I ride with my Chapter every Veteran’s Day ending at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and Era Museum and then hustle into New York City for the largest parade honoring our Veterans including the NYPD, NYFD, Coast Guard and NYPAPD who were the first responders on 911.
What I do not understand is why our Nation’s Capital, Washington DC does not support this most important tribute with the largest parade down Pennsylvania Avenue where we would have the largest gathering in this nation. If we want to unite this once great nation, we need to show a reckoning force all over this great land starting at the door step of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
About the author: Scott Bernstein is the CEO of Global Security International LLC headquartered in NYC. He has extensive experience as a Counter Terrorist Consultant, International Apprehension Operative, Human & Sex Trafficking Expert and a Military and Law Enforcement Trainer. He is available as a Consultant and as a Speaker. In addition to his LinkedIn profile, you can also interact with Scott on his LinkedIn group http://bit.ly/1LMp2hj.