Veterans Day

Why do we observe November 11 as Veterans Day?  Here's a brief history behind the establishment of Veterans Day and why we observe it on that day.

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice (a temporary cessation of hostilities) began between the Allied forces and Germany, thus effectually ending World War 1.  In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson called for the first observance of Armistice Day on November 11, 1919.  This Armistice Day was to be a day of parades, public meetings and suspension of business beginning at 11am on that date.

On May 13, 1938 Act 52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a was approved and made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday known as Armistice Day, a day set aside to honor veterans of World War 1.

After World War 2 and our nation’s involvement in the Korean War, veteran’s service organizations urged Congress to change the 1938 Act and change Armistice Day to Veterans Day.  On June 1, 1954, Public Law 389 was approved and made November 11th Veterans Day – a day to honor American veterans of all wars. 

The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971 temporarily moved Veterans Day to the 4th Monday of October, a move that was not very popular!  President Gerald Ford signed Public Law 94-97 on September 20th, 1975 which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day back to the November 11th date beginning in 1978.

According to the VA, “Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. 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.”

The History of Memorial Day - Part 3

The symbol of Memorial Day has come to be the red poppy.  This vibrant flower came to symbolize the sacrifice of those that gave their lives for our country on the battlefield.  Other nations such as England, New Zealand and Australia also use the red poppy for their Memorial Day observances.

The history of this Memorial Day symbol began during World War 1.  A Canadian physician, John McCrae, serving in Belgium during WW1 observed that red poppies were growing around the graves of fallen soldiers.  A few days earlier McCrae had to bury a close friend of his that was killed in action.  Upon viewing the poppies growing among the graves, McCrae was deeply moved and wrote the poem, “In Flanders Field.”  It was written on May 3, 1915.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

In November of 1918, American educator and YMCA volunteer Moina Bell Michael happened to read “In Flanders Field” as it was published in a magazine.  After reading the poem she felt something must be done to not “break faith” with those that had sacrificed their lives for our nation.  She wrote a poem in response to “In Flanders Field” and began a campaign to make the red poppy the national symbol of Memorial Day.  Here is her poem, “We Shall Keep the Faith.”

Oh! You who sleep in “Flanders Fields,”

Sleep sweet—to rise anew!

We caught the Torch you threw

And, holding high, we keep the Faith

With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led;

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies,

But lends a lustre to the red

Of the flower that blooms above the dead

In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red

We wear in honor of our dead.

Fear not that ye have died for naught;

We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought

In Flanders Fields.

Moina Bell Michael worked tirelessly for two years to make the red poppy the national symbol for Memorial Day.  Her efforts culminated in 1920 when the American Legion voted in approval of the red poppies symbolism of the ultimate sacrifice.  And, working with Congress, the American Legion worked to have the Friday before Memorial Day designated as “National Poppy Day.”  

I wasn’t aware of why the red poppy became the symbol of Memorial Day until I did some research.  Now that I’ve discovered its history, I’ll be wearing a red poppy this Memorial Day in honor of those that gave their lives for our nation. For as the poem states, “And now the…Poppy Red, we wear in honor of our dead.”

The History of Memorial Day - Part 2

Memorial Day was original observed as Decoration Day.  Here is a poignant and moving poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow entitled, "Decoration Day."  It was first published in the Atlantic magazine in June 1882.

Sleep, comrades, sleep and rest

On this Field of the Grounded Arms,

Where foes no more molest,

Nor sentry’s shot alarms!

Ye have slept on the ground before,

And started to your feet

At the cannon’s sudden roar,

Or the drum’s redoubling beat.

But in this camp of Death

No sound your slumber breaks;

Here is no fevered breath,

No wound that bleeds and aches.

All is repose and peace,

Untrampled lies the sod;

The shouts of battle cease,

It is the Truce of God!

Rest, comrades, rest and sleep!

The thoughts of men shall be

As sentinels to keep

Your rest from danger free.

Your silent tents of green

We deck with fragrant flowers;

Yours has the suffering been,

The memory shall be ours.

The History of Memorial Day - Part 1

The purpose of Memorial Day is to remember those who died while serving in our nation's armed forces.  It is to remember those women and men who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and for our freedom. 

Memorial Day observances in the United States began in the 1860s as a way to honor those that died in the Civil War.  These were localized events and occurred on various dates.  At that time it was called Decoration Day as the graves of soldiers were decorated with flowers.  By 1882, the term Memorial Day began to be used, and in 1967 Memorial Day became the official holiday name. 

36 U.S. Code § 116 - Memorial Day says in part, "It is essential to remember and renew the legacy of Memorial Day, which was established in 1868 to pay tribute to individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States and their families...greater strides must be made to demonstrate appreciation for those loyal people of the United States whose values, represented by their sacrifices, are critical to the future of the United States..the relevance of Memorial Day must be made more apparent to present and future generations of people of the United States through local and national observances and ongoing activities..."

As we look forward to Memorial Day, let us intentionally set aside a few moments of our day to remember those brave men and women that gave their lives for us and our nation.  Let us make it apparent to friends and family the relevance of this day and demonstrate appreciation for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.