Sunday, November 11, 2012

Veteran's Day

Today is the day we give tribute to our veterans.  These are the men and women who fight to keep us free.  They go to battle in order to keep our country safe.  Because of our military, we still have the right to free speech, to practice our religious beliefs and to achieve whatever goals we set for ourselves. 

Originally, Veteran's Day was called Armstice Day.  November 11, 1919 President Wilson proclaims the first Armstice Day.  It was June 1, 1954 when President Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armstice Day to Veteran's Day.

In 1968, Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law which established the 4th Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veteran's Day to take effect in 1971.  From 1971 to 1975, Veteran's Day was observed by all states on the fourth Monday of October except Mississippi and South Dakota.  Other states decide to change their observances back to November 11: 1972 - Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974 - Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975 - California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Wyoming.

In 1975 legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veteran's Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation.  The law took effect in 1978 when Veteran's Day observance reverted to November 11th. 

As you can see it took a lot of time to get things done in Congress back then, and it hasn't changed.  Smile!

For all of our military may you be blessed for giving up such a huge part of your lives and many of you your lives for the rest of us.  Never ever forget these people who go to war for us.  They never come home the same, and we must be patient and understanding of them.  God Bless all of you!

All of the historical information came from the military history army site and more info can be found at this link: http://www.army.mil/html/reference/holidays/vetsday/vetshist.html

Have a great week, and I'll see you next Sunday.

Sandra K. Marshall
http://www.eirelander-publishing.com  

10 comments:

Jill James said...

Let's see. My dad and uncle Jan were in the Navy. My brother James too. He did two Desert Storms. My son Tim and nephew Josh are in the Army. My uncle Johnny was too back during Vietnam. And one great-uncle in the Air Force. And a great-great grandfather in the Civil War.

ELF said...

Sincere thanks to all of those who serve...those who go to war and those who wait and pray for them at home.

Sandy said...

Thank all the men in your family for their service, Jill.

Elf, thank you for coming by.

Anonymous said...

Sandy,

One of my mother's first cousins was a tail gunner in one of the planes that flew in the famous bombing of Toyko. I think the year was 1942. Those who flew knew it was likely a suicide mission but the symbolism of being able to strike back at Japan after the Pearl Harbor attack was a strong incentive. Her cousin's plane went down (ran out of gas) just off the China coast. His body never was returned to the family for many years. A few years ago I visited his grave. A tearful experience especially since I think I was crying my mom's tears for him.

KT BISHOP said...

I'm always grateful for the army, navy, air force, marines

Sandy said...

Oh, Casey, what a wonderful story to tell here. I'm glad his body was found. Your cousing deserves our grateful thanks.

Me, too, KT.

Historical Writer/Editor said...

A big thank you to our veterans. You're appreciated.

Sandy said...

Thank you for coming by Historical Writer.

Marianne Stephens said...

Nice post - all should remember those who have served our country and keep us free!

Sandy said...

Thank you, Marianne. Yes, we should remember them. We went to Harrah's for lunch today because they were giving Veteran's a free lunch. I thought that was very nice of them. They were packed with Vets.