Cottage Grove sentinel., November 06, 2019, Page 38, Image 38

8C COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL November 2019
HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY
V
eterans Day gives us the op-
portunity to celebrate the
bravery and sacrifice of all U.S.
veterans. However, most Ameri-
cans confuse this holiday with
Memorial Day, reports the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs.
What’s more, some Amer-
icans don’t know why we
commemorate our veterans
on Nov. 11. It’s imperative
that all Americans know the
history of Veterans Day so
that we can honor our former
service members properly.
CELEBRATING
VETERANS DAY
If the Nov. 11 holiday falls on a
non-workday — Saturday or Sun-
day — the holiday is observed
by the federal government on
Monday (if the holiday falls
on Sunday) or Friday (if the
holiday falls on Saturday).
Federal government closings
are established by the U.S.
Office of Personnel Manage-
ment — a complete schedule
can be found here. State and
local government closings are
determined locally, and non-gov-
ernment businesses can close or
remain open as they see fit.
BRIEF HISTORY
OF VETERANS DAY
Veterans Day, formerly known
as Armistice Day, was originally
set as a U.S. legal holiday to hon-
or the end of World War I, which
officially took place on Novem-
ber 11, 1918. In legislation that
was passed in 1938, Nov. 11
was “dedicated to the cause of
world peace and to be here-
after celebrated and known
as ‘Armistice Day.’” As such,
this new legal holiday hon-
ored World War I veterans.
In 1954, after having been
through both World War II
and the Korean War, the 83rd
U.S. Congress — at the urging of
the veterans service organizations
— amended the Act of 1938 by
striking out the word “armistice”
and inserting the word “Veterans.”
With the approval of this leg-
islation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11
became a day to honor American
veterans of all wars.
In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday
Bill ensured three-day weekends
for federal employees by cele-
brating four national holidays on
Mondays: Washington’s Birthday,
Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and
Columbus Day. Under this bill,
Veterans Day was moved to the
THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN
VETERANS DAY
& MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Day honors ser-
vice members who died in
service to their country or as
a result of injuries incurred
during battle. Deceased vet-
erans are also remembered
on Veterans Day, but the day
is set aside to thank and hon-
or living veterans who served
honorably in the military — in
wartime or peacetime.
President Eisenhower’s letter to
Harvey V. Higley, Administrator
of Veterans’ Affairs, designating
him Chairman, Veterans Day Na-
last Monday of October. Many tional Committee on Oct. 8, 1954,
states did not agree with this de- included:
cision and continued to celebrate
“It is my earnest hope that all
the holiday on its original date.
Finally, on Sept. 20, 1975, Pres- veterans, their organizations and
ident Gerald R. Ford signed a law the entire citizenry will join hands
which returned the annual obser- to insure proper and widespread
vance of Veterans Day to its orig- observance of this day. ...
inal date of Nov. 11, beginning in
“I have every confidence that our
1978. Since then, the Veterans Day Nation will respond wholehearted-
holiday has been observed on Nov. ly in the appropriate observance of
11.
Veterans Day.”
Honoring the
best & bravest
For their courage, hard work and dedi-
cation to their country, we salute the men
and women of our Armed Forces, past and
present. It is because of their sacrifi ce that
America remains the land of the free, and
we thank them for protecting our citizens
and our country.
Wishing all of our veterans and soldiers
a very happy Veterans Day this and every
year.
C ottage G rove
S entinel
116 N. 6th Street
Cottage Grove
(541)942-3325
www.cgsentinel.com