Veterans Day is more than just a three-day weekend or an extra day off school of and work! It’s a holiday dedicated to celebrating and remembering those who have protected us by serving our country.
What is Veterans Day?
Veterans Day began as a way to celebrate the end of World War I and the men who fought and died serving their country. Known as Armistice Day, President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11, 1919 as the first Veterans Day. President Wilson said, “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.”
Congress voted to make Armistice Day a national holiday in 1938. In 1954, President Dwight D Eisenhower changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day. It is a day to remember, honor, and thank those who have served our country in foreign conflicts in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.
While three-day weekends are often observed around the holiday, Veterans Day continues to be celebrated on November 11th each year regardless of which day of the week the holiday falls on.
Ways for families to celebrate Veterans Day
Veterans Day is an opportunity for students to learn more about our country’s history as well as to remember those who have served or died in the military. The following are ways that students and their families can celebrate and remember Veterans Day this year.
- Display a yellow ribbon on a tree, car, or even your clothes
- Collect and send your leftover Halloween candy to soldiers deployed overseas
- Fly or display at American flag at home
- Visit a local VA hospital or retirement home to thank veterans for their service
- Send a “thank you” note to soldiers [http://www.amillionthanks.org/send-letter-guidelines-get-started.php]
- Do a good deed in honor of a soldier who died serving our country
- Place flowers or flags on the graves of veterans
On November 11, a Veterans Day tribute will be held at Veterans Park in Redondo Beach. For more information, visit http://www.redondo.org/.