Veterans Day – A Special Occasion for Remembering & Honoring Vets

Veterans Day Quick Facts ©Katrena

Veterans Day, traditionally celebrated in the United States on November 11 at 11:00 a.m., is a special time to remember the veterans who have served the country. Armistice Day was first commemorated by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 in order to honor veterans of World War I. President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day in 1954 in order to broaden the scope of the special day to honor all American veterans who have served with honor during times of peace and war.

When is Veterans Day Celebrated in the United States?

Veterans Day has traditionally been celebrated on November 11 as a way to commemorate the start of an armistice, or halting of hostilities, between Allied Nations and Germany on November 11, 1918 at 11:00 a.m. Veterans Day was observed on the fourth Monday of October between 1971 and 1977 due to the Uniform Holidays Act. President Gerald Ford changed the official date back to November 11 beginning on 1978 due to the rich significance of that date in American history.

In case you have seen Veterans Day spelled other ways and are wondering which is correct, I decided to choose the spelling offered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Learn more about Veterans on their FAQ page.

Flags for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, MIA/POW ©Katrena

What are the Branches of the U.S. Military?

All branches of the United States military are honored at Veterans Day services around the country. The United States has the following military branches:

• Air Force
• Army
• Coast Guard
• Marine Corps
• Navy

Each branch has a flag and emblem in addition to America's national flag, also known as the Stars and Stripes, Star Spangled Banner, or sometimes Old Glory. Congress first established an official flag on June 14, 1777, and many parts of the nation celebrate Flag Day each year on June 14.

American Flag and MIA/POW Flags ©Katrena

American Flag Basic Facts

The United States flag has changed over the years with the last change on July 4, 1960 with the addition of a fiftieth star in the union (blue upper left portion) to recognize Hawaii as the fiftieth state. See the VA Kids article The American Flag for more details about the national flag. Find the official flag code and learn more about the proper display of the American flag in Guidelines for Display of the Flag.

The black MIA/POW flag, designed to honor those Missing in Action or Prisoners of War, was first officially flown over the White House in 1982 and to date is the only flag, other than the national flag, to officially be flown over the White House.

Veteran of Three Wars (WWII, Korea, Vietnam) at 2001 Cleveland Christmas Parade ©Katrena

America has been involved in the following wars in recent years:

• World War I (1917-1918)
• World War II (1941-1945)
• Korean War (1950-1953)
• Vietnam War (1964-1975)
• Gulf War (1990-1991)
• War on Terror (2001-Present)

Patriotic Songs in the United States

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs article Military Songs Inspire Troops, Preserve Tradition, each service branch has a song or official tune:

• Air Force – "The U.S. Air Force"
• Army – "The Army Goes Rolling Along" also known as "The Caisson Song"
• Coast Guard – "Semper Peratus" (meaning "always ready")
• Marines – "Marines' Hymn"
• Navy – "Anchors Aweigh"

Other popular patriotic songs in the United States include:

• America
• America the Beautiful
• Eternal Father, Strong to Save (also known as the U.S. Navy Hymn)
• God Bless America
• God Bless the U.S.A.
• Stars and Stripes Forever
• Taps (often played at military funerals and traditionally played on a bugle – this web site offers more details on Taps with some audio and video footage)
• The Battle Hymn of the Republic
• The Star Spangled Banner
• This Land is Your Land
• You're a Grand Ole Flag

Memorials for Veterans - Program Where Purple Heart was Received Posthumously by Brother ©Katrena

Where are Veterans Day Programs Held?

Many memorials are located throughout the United States in order to honor veterans, and Veterans Day programs are often located near these memorials if possible. Some schools have Veterans Day programs on or near November 11. A local Chamber of Commerce, veterans organization, or town newspaper should be able to identify when and where a Veterans Day program is held in a particular community.

Arlington National Cemetery hosts a Veterans Day service on November 11 every year. This cemetery hosts The Tomb of the Unknowns, previously known as The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Tomb Guard Sentinels guard the area with precision 24 hours a day, seven days a week. See a video of the changing of "The Walk" at The Tomb of the Unknowns.

Thank You to Veterans 

Thank you, veterans, for your service. And thank you to family members of veterans who also gave up more than most of us will ever realize. May we always remember our veterans and their great sacrifice.

Kids Can Learn a Lot About Life From Veterans

Flags for All Armed Services at Mocksville NC Veterans Memorial ©Katrena

November is one of my favorite months. The leaves in North Carolina are often quite beautiful this time of the year, and my mom's yard is usually filled with pecans for making great pecan pies or sweet potato casserole. I enjoy some relief from the hot summer months in the South, but the temperatures are usually still comfortable enough to enjoy yard work, walking with the kids, and Veterans Day programs.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Honor Veterans on Veterans Day ©Katrena

Although many of the stores and malls bypass November and head straight for Christmas by the time November rolls around, I rather like the holidays of November because there is not as much hype and commercialism. Two big November holidays for my family are Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.

Davie County High School JROTC Color Guard Honors Veterans on Veterans Day ©Katrena

Veterans Day, celebrated in the U.S. on November 11, is often a forgotten holiday, and veterans are often forgotten heroes. My dad was a Navy pilot who graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. My mom's dad also served in the Navy as a fireman, and many other of my relatives and friends have served or are serving today.

Fireworks Photo from Wikimedia Commons

I remember asking my Papaw to go to a 4th of July celebration when I was a kid. He kindly said he would stay at home. I didn't want to take no for an answer and kept pressing him to go and asked him why he didn't want to attend such a fun activity. Finally, he looked at me and said that every time he heard fireworks, he wanted to find a rock to hide behind because it reminded him of fighting in a war. That humbled me and helped me to see another side of my tough grandfather who could build houses and had more common sense that just about anyone alive.

Veterans From All Service Branches Honored in Community Veterans Day Program ©Katrena

I assumed the matter was settled, but was amazed when my Papaw later decided he would go to the 4th of July celebration, just for me. I didn't realize how much he had sacrificed and will never completely understand, but as an adult, it brings tears to my eyes to realize what an honor it was to stand with him and watch those bursts of color in the sky.

Kids Honor Veterans With Postors and Essays for Veterans Day Program ©Katrena

I want my kids to appreciate veterans and the many people who have advocated for freedoms that we all enjoy today in the United States. I want them to understand, to whatever extent they can, that veterans and their families give up so much, and we should be grateful. Very grateful and respectful. I also want them to learn how to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.

Davie High School Plays Patriotic Songs at Veterans Day Program ©Katrena

We should know the name of the President and who represent us in Congress, our state, and our community. We should make informed decisions and vote when we are old enough. The veteran who struggles to rise from a wheelchair should not be the only one standing if the American flag goes by at a parade, and we should learn about the many symbols of our country. People of other countries who wish to become United States citizens must pass a test. Those of us who were born here should know even more about our nation and be a good example.

Flags for All Branches of Service Displayed in Front of Memorial ©Katrena

Veterans have so much to share, and I love to sit and listen to their stories, if they wish to talk. I can respect the ones who wish to remain silent as well. Some history cannot be found in books, videos, or anywhere else, and I hope that a piece of it might be transferred to the next generation by sitting and listening. Thankfully, some people are working to record that history for others. Many veterans would, without hesitation, serve again if needed and many veterans are serving today by providing military rights at funerals, encouraging fellow comrades, or helping buddies to get long overdue benefits.

Memorial for American Veterans ©Katrena

Some ways to help children to learn more about veterans and Veterans Day include:

• Talk to veterans – if you do not personally know a veteran, many veterans in nursing homes would love to have visitors.
• Read books about Veterans Day and American symbols, including proper flag etiquette. One of my good friends, retired Col. John Gray, wrote a book entitled Called to Honor: Memoirs of a Three-War Veteran. I highly recommend it for adults and older kids who want to get a first person account of three of our nation's wars.
• Learn patriotic songs.
• Attend a Veterans Day parade and program – this is yet another sacrifice that these men and women make.
• Participate in service projects to honor and help veterans and write notes of thanks.
• Learn about discounts and special offers for veterans in the area and ensure that veterans are aware of these programs.

Learn More About Sacrifice & Service by Visiting Veterans Memorial ©Katrena

Veterans Day is a time of reflection for many people. Saying thank you is the least we can do show appreciation for those who sacrificed more than we will ever truly know.