Three days honor veterans in U. S.

Veterans Day

 

November 11, 2021



There are three days in the year the United States honors its military service men and women. They are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. The day’s purpose is to honor all men and women who are serving in the Armed Forces, have served in the Armed Forces or died serving in the Armed Forces. It is for all who have ever worn a uniform in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Memorial Day, the fourth Monday in May, is the day to honor all those who died in the service of their country. Though many honor all loved ones who have died on Memorial Day, the original intent of “Decoration Day” was to honor those who lost their lives serving their country. The day became a federal holiday in 1971 but began more than a century and a half ago in the years after the Civil War.

Then there is Veterans Day which is observed on November 11. Since 1971, Veterans Day has been part of the Uniform Holiday Act of 1968. It was moved to the fourth Monday of October. That move was unpopular, especially in military and patriotic circles, and President Ford moved the observance back to November 11 in 1975. Now Veterans Day is always on November 11.

Why November 11? November 11 was the day the Armistice was signed which ended World War I. Specifically, the “War to End All Wars” ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Thus, we celebrate Veterans Day on November 11.

November 11 is observed in the British Commonwealth as well, though the day is called Remembrance Day. Part of their observance is a two-minute period of silence at 11 a.m.

Here in the United States, there are parades – such the ones in Belleville and Beloit. There may be dinners or church services, flags fly and there may be a period of silence at 11 a.m. One way we all can observe the day is to personally thank a veteran for their service to our country and fly our nation’s flag.

 

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