This year, Veterans´ Day will occur amidst a heated political environment and a dramatic Presidential election. As our nation seeks to emerge from this bitterly contentious period into a new and better future, perhaps we should take a moment next Wednesday to break away from the news coverage and reflect on all those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for the promise of America. The boys who died on the beaches of Normandy and Guadalcanal gave their lives that democracy might live on. The men who fought in the jungles of Vietnam did so that freedom would not be crushed beneath an iron curtain. The men and women who patrolled the hills of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq faced fear and danger so that their fellow Americans could remain safe and secure back home. These patriots, and those like them across the last two hundred years of American history, held vastly differing political beliefs, ethnicities, religious practices, and they came from every different corner of this country. But they were all Americans. They all believed in America. This Veterans Day, let’s honor their sacrifice by attempting to put the good of the country before all else.
Navy League Leg. Affairs Weekly Roundup November 6th, 2020
A Brief History of Veterans´ Day
Veterans´ Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.'” As such, this new legal holiday honored 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 legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Military.com
Navy League of the United States - Madrid Council 