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VETERANS DAY HISTORY AND LOCAL CEREMONY |
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A Day for Honoring All Veterans
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Veterans Day is a special day for VFW members. Unlike Memorial Day, it is a time to remember all veterans - both living and dead - and their sacrifices. It should not be a day of sadness, but a time of pride and reflection on what veterans have accomplished and the freedoms they have protected.
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Remembering the End of World War I |
As most veterans know, Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day, an observance and anniversary of the end of World War I. Following the Korean War, President Eisenhower signed a bill expanding Armistice Day to honor all veterans. Congress passed a law in 1968 that changed the date to the fourth Monday in October.
Appropriately, though, the American people rejected that idea, perhaps fearing that the meaning of the day would become clouded in the haze of yet another excuse for a three-day weekend. In 1978, Congress returned Veterans Day to its traditional November 11th observance. |
'Helping the Living' |
VFW's own traditional observance includes a visit by its national Commander-in-Chief to Arlington National Cemetary. Through the years, numerous Chiefs have relished the honor of representing VFW at these solemn ceremonies, which are held at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
VFW's motto - "honor the dead by helping the living" - is especially appropriate for Veterans Day. Volunteering to help others less fortunate, passing along history lessons firsthand to school children and improving the quality of life for active-duty troops are just some of the activities that VFW members perform to illustrate that phrase. |
Still Serving America |
And while it captures the essence of Veterans Day, honoring the dead by helping the living is fulfilled everyday by VFW members throughout the nation.
VFW hopes that through its members actions, all U.S. citizens will take time to ponder how veterans have contributed to the nation. When one looks at rows and rows of white crosses in a military cemetary, it's obvious.
But the nation is full of veterans who are still with us. They continue to actively serve their communities in an effort to improve the country they love. Remember them on November 11th. |
NOVEMBER 11, 2005
Hale, Michigan Post # 7435 Ceremony |
Ceremony was held at the Plainfield Township Hall with a luncheon prvided to everyone in attendance following the ceremony at the VFW Post Hall. |
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