Veterans Day

Veterans Day is November 11th and I would like to open this post by thanking all veterans from all countries who are serving and who have served their country and have fought for freedom. I'm sending special thanks to the U.S. Veterans that I personally know and have known during my lifetime. Whether they served in the Great War (Grampa) or World War II (Uncle William, Uncle Peter, Uncle Jimmy, Tony), or the Korean Conflict (Uncle George, Uncle Johnny, Uncle Danny, Pete, Dick, Bobby, Tommy, Joe) or the Cuban Missile Crisis (brother-in-law Cy) or the Vietnam War (George, Dick, David, Al, Mike, Tom, Walter, Normand) or Desert Storm (Amy, Joyce, Rich ) or Operation Iraqi Freedom (Stephen, Matt, Scott) or whether you have simply served during peace time (cousins Kathy, Doug & BettyAnn, friend Mary). I also want to thank two who couldn't serve but wanted to serve (Dad, Uncle Connie) and to those who served in conflicts that were not mentioned. It is because of these soldiers and marines that we are able to enjoy our freedom, and the pursuit of happiness.

Below is a history of Veterans Day, and a collection of patriotic flag photos that I have taken over the past few years.

(Mast from the USS Portland, now a memorial)

1918

World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities-in this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918.

(Portland Head Light - commissioned by President George Washington)

1919

November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations." The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public mettings.

(Civil War Soldier who fell at Fredrickburg buried in Massachusetts)

1920

On the second anniversary of the armistice, France and the United Kingdom hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war. In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson names the Sunday nearest Armistice Day Sunday, on which should be held services in the interest of international peace.

(Cape Porpoise Maine)

1921

Congress passes legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 is chosen for the date of the ceremony. According on October 20, Congress declares November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success.

(Cape Elizabeth, Maine)

1926

Congress adopts a resolution directing the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal holiday and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the President.

(Old Glory with 45 Stars & Stripes - Freeport, Maine)

1938

Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November 11 a legal Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no 'actual' national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But in practice the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays.

(Kennebunkport, Maine)

1941- 1945

(Biddeford Pool, Maine)

1950- 1953

World War II and the Korean War create millions of additional war veterans in addition to those of the First World War already honored by Armistice Day.

(Hollis, New Hampshire)

1954

On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran's Day.

(Portland, Maine)

1968

Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law which established the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veteran's Day. The law is to take effect in 1971.

(Kettle Cove, Maine)

1971-1975

The Federal observance of Veterans Day is held on the fourth Monday of October. Initially all states follow suit except Mississippi and South Dakota. Other states changed their observances back to November 11 as follows: 1972- Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974- Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975- California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming

(So. Portland, Maine)

1975

Legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veteran's Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation. Since the change to the fourth Monday in October, 46 states had either continued to commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to the original date based on popular sentiment. The law was to take effect in 1978.

(Old Orchard Beach, Maine)

1978

Veteran's Day observance reverts to November 11.

(Kennebunkport, Maine)

I hope you enjoyed my tribute to our brave men and women.