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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 4064
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 6:21 am: | 
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HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY
Official recognition of the end of the first modern global conflict -- World War I - - was made in a concurrent resolution (44 Stat. 1982) enacted by Congress on June 4, 1926, with these words:
WHEREAS the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the
resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
WHEREAS it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
WHEREAS the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the President of the United States is requested to 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) approved May 13, 1938, and the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - - a day to be
dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day. "
Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest
mobilization of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen in the Nation's history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd
Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in
lieu thereof the word "Veterans. " With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor
American veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation " which stated:
"In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire
citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and
agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."
A letter from the President to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, was sent on the same date designating
him to serve as Chairman. In 1958, the White House advised the VA's General Counsel that there was no need for another letter of appointment
for each new Administrator, as the original proclamation in 1954 established the Committee with the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as
Chairman.
The Uniforms Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to insure three-day weekends for Federal
employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays- - Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and
commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates. The first
Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971.
It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens,
and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978.
This action supported the express will of the overwhelming majority of the State legislatures, all major service organizations and the American
people.
The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: a celebration to honor America's veterans
for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
For P. M. Release October 8, 1954
Murray Snyder, Assistant Press Secretary To The President
THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE
Lowery Air Force Base
Denver
In connection with the signing of the proclamation on Veterans Day, the President today sent the following letter to the Honorable
Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs:
Dear Mr. Higley:
I have today sighed a proclamation calling upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 as Veterans Day. 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.
With the thought that it will be most helpful to coordinate the planning, I am suggesting the formation of a Veterans Day National Committee. In
view of your great personal interest as well as your official responsibilities, I have designated you to serve as Chairman. You may include in the Committee membership such other persons as you desire to select and I am requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch to assist the Committee in its work in every way possible.
I have every confidence that our Nation will respond wholeheartedly in the appropriate observance of Veterans Day, 1954.
Sincerely,
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
Veterans Day, 1954
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION 3071
Whereas it has long been our customs to commemorate November 11, the anniversary of the ending of World War I, by paying tribute to the
heroes of that tragic struggle and by rededicating ourselves to the cause of peace; and
Whereas in the intervening years the United States has been involved in two other great military conflicts, which have added millions
of veterans living and dead to the honor rolls of this Nation; and
Whereas the Congress passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926 (44 Stat. 1982), calling for the observance of November 11 with
appropriate ceremonies, and later provided in an act approved May 13, 1938 (52 Stat. 351) , that the eleventh of November should be a legal
holiday and should be known as Armistice Day; and
Whereas, in order to expand the significance of that commemoration and in order that a grateful Nation might pay appropriate homage to the veterans of all its wars who have contributed so much to the preservation of this Nation, the Congress, by an act approved June 1, 1954 (68 Stat. 168), changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day:
Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954, as Veterans Day. On that day lets solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.
I also direct the appropriate officials of the Government to arrange for the display of the flag of the United States on all public buildings on Veterans Day.
In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to wish to join hands in the common purpose.
Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington this eighth day of October in the Year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the Independence of the
(SEAL) United States of America the one hundred and seventy-ninth.
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
By the President:
JOHN FOSTER DULLES
Secretary of States.
We Proudly Salute and Honor those Men & Women who are presently serving in the Armed Forces our country and those Veterans who have served our country in the past and we will always keep the Veterans who have given thier lives serving our country in our thoughts and prayers.
THANK YOU VETERANS!
Lon
Tech808
Shirley
1st Sargant |
Kilowatt
Member
Username: Kilowatt
Post Number: 89
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 9:25 am: |
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Thank y'all!
1st Lt. Steve Tullos (Kilowatt)
USA Signal Corps (Vet.) |
Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 192
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 9:37 am: |
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Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 152
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 10:41 am:
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i know this probably should be posted under "political discussions", but in light of lon's post re: alsworlds redeployment,and the upcoming VETERANS DAY next month, i need to reflect upon a particular moment right about now.
my wife & kids were returning to LI from NYC with my parents after radio city christmas show in dec 2000, we boarded a nearly packed train in jamaica station and found 6 scattered seats. my father, always proud of his military service of course wearing his hat and jacket emblazoned with his unit and dates of service sat down across from a middle aged orthodox jewish gentleman. this gentleman extended his hand to my father and just said "thankyou". my father took his hand, smiled and asked 'what for?' the gentleman said he never took the oppurtunity to serve his country and had the utmost respect for anyone who did, and showed his appreciation to every veteran of every age that he ever came across, and no matter the circumstance or public opinion every person who is willing to defend this country deserves more than is afforded them so he would take matters into his own hands and thank them all.
and this was all BEFORE the sept 11th terrorist attacks and aftermath. my father is the reason i fly the AMERICAN flag everyday of the year, not just on special occasions. and til i heard that, i never realized why i did it.
there's nothing else to say, and to all those who know who they are-
THANKS for making sure i still can fly my AMERICAN flag
EVERY DAY IS VETERANS DAY, AND MY AMERICAN FLAG FLIES TODAY AS IT DOES THE OTHER 364 DAYS OF THE YEAR. PRIDE IN AMERICA IS POSSIBLE ONLY BECAUSE OF YOU.
can't say it any better than lon & shirley, so....
THANKYOU |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 328
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 1:25 pm: |
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Thanks to all our veterans on this thier special day, and those on active duty both here and abroad.
Carl CEF-357 US Air Force Veteran 1956-57, weapons specialist 5th fighter squadron, 52nd CAMRON, Suffolk County Air Force Base,West Hampton, Long Island New York |
Red_devil
New member
Username: Red_devil
Post Number: 5
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 1:39 pm: |
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
Ain’t it great to live in a country where we can enjoy our freedom and become whatever our abilities will allow. I “Fell into” the Army nineteen years ago and have found my choice of employment to be personally rewarding for the most part. I’ve had a few challenges and have overcome some fairly significant obstacles.
I am currently blessed with my first job that is less likely to find me in harms way. I truly relish this opportunity to recharge my physical, spiritual, and mental batteries in preparation for my next “Trip”. In enjoying this opportunity, and truly find myself enlightened to the sacrifices that my wife and children bear. Please on this day, do not forget the spouses and children of our veteran’s, who bear a large portion of the load of the military member’s choice of lifestyle. On this day I can’t help but search my soul and wonder: What if I had not returned home? What can I do for those who did not come home?
I am led to prayer and an almost overwhelming pride in the spirit of our country. Where will the next battlefield appear? Just over three years ago any of us could have found ourselves on an aircraft bound for destiny. I embrace the American sin of pride and hold my status as Soldier only slightly higher that my status as American.
I have seen how citizens of other countries live. We complain when he run out of soda or beer. They rejoice when you throw away some old shoes that they will use for twenty different things in their lives. With our pride and fortune, we should remember the less fortunate of our world held under tyranny and oppressive governments.
Our military members are a tool of our government’s foreign policy. Please remember the VOLUNTEERS, and their families who serve today. We do what we do every day so that you may appreciate the God given gifts that were your birthright as Americans. For those who have become Americans through the naturalization process, share your story so that all may truly appreciate our life, our freedom, and our America.
Red Devil – 392 El Paso, TX
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Sitm
Intermediate Member
Username: Sitm
Post Number: 157
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 19, 2004 - 4:41 pm: |
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I have to admit, it is very nice to be thanked.
1st Marine Division
1/9 Weapons Plt. 0331 Machine Gunner
1982-1988 |
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