Page 1 - Aerotech News and Review, November 6, 2020

Aerotech News
Aerotech News
Aerotech News

Journal of Aerospace, Defense Industry and Veteran News
and Review
and Review
Veterans Day:

A time to honor those who have served

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the on November 11 and inviting the people of the United
eleventh month one hundred and two years ago, the States to observe the day in schools and churches, or
guns fell silent across Europe and what had been other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of
called the Great War, or the War to end all Wars, was friendly relations with all other peoples.”
over.
What later became known as World War I officially An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) ap-
ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on proved May 13, 1938, made Nov. 11. in each year a
June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the legal holiday — a day to be dedicated to the cause
town of Versailles in France. But the fighting actually of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and
stopped when an armistice, or temporary cessation of known as “Armistice Day.”
hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to
went into effect at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918. For that honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after
reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as World War II had required the greatest mobilization
the end of “the war to end all wars.” of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen in the na-
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed tion’s history; after American forces had fought ag-
Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day gression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging
with the following words: of the veterans service organizations, amended the
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and
Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the
of those who died in the country’s service and with approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June
gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American
from which it has freed us and because of the op- veterans of all wars.
portunity it has given America to show her sympathy Later that same year, on Oct. 8, President Dwight
with peace and justice in the councils of the nations .” D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Procla-
The original concept for the celebration was for a mation” which stated:
day observed with parades and public meetings and “In order to insure proper and widespread obser-
a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m. vance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’
The United States Congress officially recognized organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to
the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end,
resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words: I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Af-
“Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the fairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Com-
cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far mittee, which shall include such other persons as the
reaching war in human annals and the resumption by Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the
the people of the United States of peaceful relations national level necessary planning for the observance.
with other nations, which we hope may never again I am also requesting the heads of all departments and
be severed; and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary to assist the National Committee in every way pos-
of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiv- sible.”
ing and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a let-
peace through good will and mutual understanding ter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator
between nations; and of Veterans’ Affairs, designating him as Chairman of
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our the Veterans Day National Committee.
States have already declared November 11 to be a In 1958, the White House advised VA’s General
legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Adminis-
(the House of Representatives concurring), that the trator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Com-
President of the United States is requested to issue a mittee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators.
proclamation calling upon the officials to display the
flag of the United States on all Government buildings See VETERANS DAY, Page 2

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