Today we honor America’s living military veterans.
It’s a holiday first observed a century ago to mark the end of the First World War, which concluded at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918.
First known as Armistice Day, in 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to recognize all military veterans, those who served in time of peace as well as war.
Veterans Day is often confused with Memorial Day. That day, observed on the last Monday in May, honors military members who died in service to their country.
Veterans Day is a federal holiday and an official holiday in many states. Though the COVID pandemic has limited or cancelled parades and gatherings this year, many businesses are offering veterans discounts and even free meals. The Veterans Administration has a list of participating organizations.
When President Dwight D. Eisenhower, himself a veteran and supreme commander of the allied forces that ended World War II, signed the proclamation declaring Nov. 11 Veterans Day, he said:
“It is my earnest hope that all veterans, their organizations, and the entire citizenry will join hands to insure proper and widespread observance of this day.”
We at Green Key Resources join with the rest of America to say to all veterans, Thank You for your service.
Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash
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