We now head into the Veterans Day weekend, which always brings back memories for old-timers of Armistice Day. Veterans’ Day? Armistice Day? How did this all evolve? Here’s how. In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, D.C., became the focal point of reverence for America’s veterans. Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France. These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as “Armistice Day.”
Armistice Day officially received its name in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action. Only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, World War II broke out in Europe. In recognition of the 407,000 Americans who gave their lives in that conflict, November 11th became an opportunity to honor veterans of all wars. The first celebration using the term Veterans Day occurred in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1947. Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized "National Veterans Day," which included a parade and other festivities to honor all veterans. Eventually U.S. Representative Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill to change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.
This Veterans Day we honor all who serve and all who have served. We’re also pleased to direct our veterans to a new opportunity available to them. At OhioMeansJobs.com, veterans can get help translating their military job experience into civilian experience, post their resumés, and find hiring events in their area. They also can view a Military-Friendly Employer Registry that lists employers who are looking to recruit and hire veterans. To date, more than 7,400 Ohio employers have designated themselves as military-friendly. This means they are interested in employing and supporting members of the military, veterans, and their spouses. For more information on resources available to service members, visit the Military Members and Their Families web page.
There you go, New Franklin, a little history and a little help. If you know a veteran who might benefit from this service, let them know. And may we all say a silent prayer for all who have served us so bravely and unselfishly, and then may each of us pick up the phone, call a veteran and thank them for their service this Veterans Day 2022!
Original source can be found here
Alerts Sign-up