American Veterans Day is an important wide- recognized holiday in America aimed at remembering the sacrifices made by military veterans of the United States armed forces. Its official date is November 11 which is the day dedicated to showing appreciation to those men and women who have defended lives and property. It should be understood that the events and the experiences undergone during military service by veterans, their spouses and children and indeed the entire nation are deserving more than a celebration – it is a tribute that encompasses the essence of life itself.
In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the history, importance and how Veterans Day is observed today and emphasize its role in modern America. Further, we shall look at what the nation and residents can do to pay respect to veteran’s people and the importance of their stories and sacrifices for future generations. (GOV.UK , VA , American Veterans Center)
What is Veterans Day?
Every year on the 11th of November, all military veterans in the United States who have served are honored and this is due to the observance of Veterans’ Day which is a federal holiday. Non-veterans’ Day which concentrates on specific war servicemen and women, Veterans’ Day is about and focuses on army veterans active in different bodies all over the world, including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and others.
November 11 is a day that millions and millions now remember as the end of World War I, when fighting finally came to an end on the peninsular after the signing of an armistice that was 11 o’clock at the 11th hour on the day when November 11th happened in the year 1918. It was for this reason that this holiday celebration was originally called Armistice Day, a title which been altered to Veterans Day in 1954 when it was decided that this day would commemorate veterans of every conflict. (GOV.UK , VA , American Veterans Center)
The importance of Veterans Day goes beyond remembrance as suchit gives an opportunity to think of the heroic actions, gallantry, and commitment of all explosive officers and soldiers towards catapulting America’s adoration of freedom, liberty, and even justice.
History of Veterans Day
There’s no confusion around the origins of Veterans Day as it is anchored to the close of World War 1. This war was brought to a close with the signing of the Armistice Agreement on the 11th November, 1918. This particular agreement brought to an end armed hostilities that had raged between the Allies and Germany and this clashed all came to an end. On November 11, 1919 President Woodrow Wilson, however, nominated the first Armistice Day in the United States and this was the first one that was in remembrance of the end of the mighty global conflict.
At first, Armistice Day involved a moment of silence at eleven o’clock, in memory of the deceased soldiers who lost their lives in the war. Because the United States was later involved in a number of wars such as World War II and the Korean War, the reasoning behind the observance of the holiday grew: it did not only apply to the First World War. As a result of the campaign by veterans’ associations in 1954, the day was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in recognition of all veterans and not just during World War I.
As part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which was aimed at giving American Workers more three-day weekends, the Veterans Day observation was moved to the fourth Monday of October in 1971. However this change did not go well with a majority of the population and in 1978, the holiday was reinstated to November 11th.
Today, however, there is no change as Veterans Day has been and is still celebrated on November 11 every year regardless of the weekday. (GOV.UK , VA , American Veterans Center)
Why Veterans Day is Important
Veterans Day is important because it is a time when Americans can stop and remember the military personnel who offered their lives in defense of this great nation. The reason for this is clearly tied to the significance of the day that allows the nation to pay tribute to the great individuals who selflessly offered their lives for the sake of this nation. It’s not only physical; many ex-soldiers now battle with several mental disorders owing to their active lifetime in stringent situations like PTSD. Veterans Day highlights these issues and serves as a reminder to the communities to aid the veterans in their memories after service.
With such a heightened awareness of veterans, Veterans Day also helps people understand that peace and not violence is the answer in all situations and such a violence must be opposed. It is these people who are worthy of respect; it is these people who have put in efforts abled the United States remain unbeaten and liberated for its citizens.
How To Celebrate Veterans Day
Although Veterans Day is such a federal holiday, it has its own celebrations and commemorations. Some of ways individuals and the entire community can work on this great day are:
- Don’t Miss Out On Any Veterans Day Ceremony or Parade
The other best alternative to enjoying this commemorative day will be focusing on the ceremonies and parades that allow people to celebrate this day. Most of the cities and towns in the United States host events for veterans. The biggest and often most publicized serves celebrates Manahoac American Indian veterans at Arlington National Cemetery where every veteran places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There’s always something like speech making along with songs and veterans themselves at such events.
- Go To The Veterans’ Memorial Or Museum
There is no better way of remembering Veterans Day than actually going out to a veteran’s memorial or museum. Quite a number of war memorials exist in America, notably the WWII Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial both in Washington, D.C. These places are meant for people who have lost in battle to be buried and remembered, and so visiting them opens a window into the past and brings a deep understanding of veterans.
- Volunteer or Donate to Veterans’ Charities
Supporting militarised veterans is one of the most invaluable approaches when making active change to the lives of veterans. There are numerous charities such as the wounded warrior project, the disabled american veterans (dav) and the american legion that attend to the needs of these veterans and their families on a nonprofit basis. Donations of one kind or another, be it resources or labor, and even most importantly time, all go to assist the provision of both mental and physical services for veterans, as well as housing opportunities for them. - Thank a Veteran
Perhaps a simple yet effective way to encourage veterans is through appreciation, and saying thank you to someone who wore the uniform goes a long way. Be it a family member, a friend or a random person in the streets, each and every effort in extending a palm with a simple thank you is really heart warming to veterans. Most veterans don’t seek appreciation but this is important, it’s even more important to make sure that such veterans know they are appreciated. - Help Veteran-Owned Businesses
It is important also to help veterans by supporting veteran-owned companies. After their military service, a number of veterans become entrepreneurs, and their businesses can greatly benefit the local communities. There may be veteran-owned businesses in your area so consider shopping there for their contributions on Veterans Day.
- Tell the Story of War Veterans
A third way of commemoration of the Veterans Day is to read and narrate the stories of war veterans who are living in one’s vicinity . The victorious stories and the struggles both of the literary veterans depict what their lives were. When you speak about their stories, you are also making attempts to retain their history and inform the society about military service. This brings importance to the today’s society as these efforts aid youngsters for the tomorrow through narration and words of veterans, blogs, stories shared in the social media and family interactions. (GOV.UK , VA , American Veterans Center)
What’s Veterans Day All About
Veterans Day is an important day in remembering military veterans. Veterans Day serves to instill pride in fellow Americans and act as a uniting force. It is a reminder that the freedom and liberties that Americans enjoy, are not free. They have been earned through the hard work and sacrifices of soldiers, who have fought in several wars and skirmishes. It helps integrate the military population into the civilian population and vice versa, for understanding and respect.
It is now being considered in contemporary times that veterans do face some mental health issues too after weighing too much on the battlefield. Specifically, what can now be called, ‘the veteran crisis’. In that manner, Veterans Day is a perfect occasion for speaking about veterans and the further challenges they face in getting integrated into society. There exists an organization, the VA, that handles such affairs prominently but there already was a need for community-focused attention.
Last but not the least, a very suitable, Veterans Day calls Americans attention to the fact that, there still are several veterans, especially those that have sustained injuries or have become disabled, that need looking after. With the help of many organizations, the government tries to take care of our soldiers by providing them with healthcare, housing, and financial assistance after they return back home. (GOV.UK , VA , American Veterans Center)
Conclusion
Veterans Day should primarily be observed to great extent as a holiday to celebrate the bravery and the sacrifice that the military veterans, both present and past have impacted. Across the US, November 11 has always been established as a day of awareness and recognition and thanks to veterans for their selfless actions. There are many ways to celebrate the day including attending ceremonies, offering yourself as a volunteer and donations among others.
The power of the armed forces is also vividly illustrated by the recognition of the battles fought on such occasions, thus commemorated as sacrifice of those who had given their all to fight that people remain able to speak freely and say how they feel without fear of retaliation. It is also a day to look back into the past, study the problems faced by modern veterans and take measures to assist those who once defended their homeland. Order as well when it comes to honoring veterans should not be trifled allowing even the smallest kindnesses as in the long run, they build a strong country.
So many things have been said and done on V Day. History sure won’t forget the efforts and the sacrifices performed by the active duty personnel. Mediums like films and videos should definitely be encouraged that can help keep these ideas alive to the next generations.
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