By Donald Jay Howton
On Saturday, November 11 Veterans Day, all across our great country we will again honor all military veterans of the United States Armed Forces for their service.
Plan to attend a Veterans Day memorable ceremony or a stirring celebration at a museum, national cemetery, national park, a parade or at a memorial.
Saturday, November 11 we will honor our nation’s veterans.
It is right and proper that America remembers the men and women who have served and defended our great country.
Originally known as Armistice Day, November 11 as proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson for November 11, 1919. It was the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.
World War II veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham is responsible for the National Veterans Day celebration and parade. The first national celebration and parade were held in Birmingham in 1947. Weeks was known as the Father of Veterans Day.
In 1953 Emporia, Kansas resident Al King had the idea to expand Armistice Day to honor all veterans. A bill was introduced in 1954 by United States Representative Ed Rees of Kansas and approved by the United States Congress. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, also from Kansas, signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954.
Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. A National Veterans Award was also created in 1954.
Let us never forget the service and sacrifices made by our nation’s veterans.
