November 11, 2013 (Monday) — God bless the Veteran!
Today is Veteran’s Day, once known as “Armistice Day,” which celebrated the truce which ended the hostilities of the First World War in 1918 (the actual treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919). In 1938, November 11 was made a legal holiday in the United States. I started to school in September, 1937, and for most of my twelve school years November 11 was a school holiday. There was a parade downtown each year, with every branch of the Armed Services represented, along with groups of weapons and vehicles of battle.
“Armistice Day” became “Veteran’s Day” in 1954.
The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Many states continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates. Veteran’s Day was removed from the list in 1978, and is celebrated today on November 11 no matter the day of the week. The truce ending WW1 took place at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918, and many feel that such remembrance helps to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. (This paragraph quotes freely from public documents).
Robert Perry, our music director at Bethel Baptist Church of Ingleside, suggested to our congregation yesterday during worship that we thank each person we see in military uniform for his/her service to the country. Excellent idea.
