For many Americans, Wednesday, November eleventh was simply a day in the middle of the week. For many, November 11th is worth so much more. Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11th in honor of the ceasefire between the Allied Nations and Germany in 1918 and agreed to start negotiating an end to World War One. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared this day to be called “Armistice Day” as a way of commemorating the truce of the year prior and honoring the Veterans who fought in World War One. Armistice Day was approved by Congress to become a national holiday on May 13th, 1938. After the Korean War, (1950-1953) a movement was spurred to change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day and to make it a holiday that recognized not only the Veterans of World War One but all United States military Veterans. On June 1st, 1954, Armistice Day officially became known as “Veterans Day”. Except for a brief period in the 1970s when the holiday was moved to October, it has been celebrated on November 11th every year since 1954.
Although Veterans Day has come and gone, every day there are soldiers all across the globe who selflessly risk their lives for the safety of our country’s people. Colter Mancini, served as a Marine Sergeant for four years and nine months, most notably served aboard the USS Essex aircraft carrier floating around the Asia/Pacific region and in Lithuania and Kazakhstan on Embassy Duty. Mancini describes the importance of Veterans Day, “It’s important to remember who has made sacrifices for their country. It’s like keeping ourselves in check as a nation and instills a sense of humility in us all.” The ex-Marine Sergeant described his treatment from others on Veterans Day. “when someone finds out I am a Veteran, I usually get a “Thank you for your service” but that’s it and it is quite enough.” Next time you see a Veteran, take the time to ask how they are doing, and if they need anything. Because they risked their lives for our safety, it is the least we can do.