11-11-11 by Zina Abbott

Eleventh month.

Eleventh day.

Eleventh hour.

In 1918, after four years of one of the most devastating wars the world had ever known, the fighting came to an end on November 11th at 11:00a.m.

 

Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities.  This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918.

This day is a day, not so much of celebration, but of commemoration and remembrance in many nations.

 

Veterans Day has been officially recognized in the U.S. as a day to remember and honor those who have served honorably in the military during war or peacetime.

One hundred years ago, in November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

This day was originally called Armistice Day. It was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 by President Dwight Eisenhower. For more information regarding the progression of Veterans Day to the holiday observance we know it as today, please CLICK HERE.

President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

In 1868, the Veterans Day observance was moved to the fourth Monday in October to allow for a three day holiday. Due to the unpopularity among the American people of this decision, because of the significance of the date, President Gerald Ford moved it back to November 11th, no matter what day of the week the holiday fell on.

Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but this day is especially set aside to give thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably. 

WW1 Veteran Joseph Ambrose at age 86 holding the flag he was given for his son who died in Korea.

Here are some interesting facts from History.com which was updated just a few days ago:

*  Veterans Day commemorates veterans of all wars.

*  Great Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World War I and World War II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November).

 
*  In Europe, Great Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.

*  Every Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day, Arlington National Cemetery holds an annual memorial service. The cemetery is home to the graves of over 400,000 people, most of whom served in the military.

Here are some facts about the veteran population of the United States:

*  18.2 million living veterans served during at least one war as of 2018.

*  9 percent of veterans are women.

*  7 million veterans served during the Vietnam War.

*  3 million veterans have served in support of the War on Terrorism.

*  Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, about 496,777 were still alive as of 2018.

*  Connecticut was home to the highest percentage of World War II veterans as of 2018 at 7.1 percent.

*  2 million veterans served during the Korean War.

*  As of 2017, the top three states with the highest percentage of Veterans were Alaska, Maine and Montana, respectively.

Let us all take some time this day to remember our own veterans in our family—those living and those who have passed on—and give thanks to those who fought for our nation.

My thanks go to the veterans in my family.

My most recently published book is not about veterans. It is a Christmas romance, Book 18 in the Sweethearts of Jubilee Springs series, 

Two Sisters and the Christmas Groom. 

For the book description and purchase link, please CLICK HERE.

  

Sources:

https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/veterans-day-facts