Three Composited Images
by Unknown

THE ORIGINS OF VETERANS DAY

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, became the focal point of reverence for America's veterans. Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation's highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11am, 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 America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holidiay 12 years later by similar Congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was "the War to end all Wars," November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle. Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WW II and Korea, Congress was requested to make this day an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. On Memorial Day 1958, two more unidentified American war dead were brought from overseas and interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier of World War I. One was killed in World War II, the other in the Korean War. In 1973, a law passed providing interment of an unknown American from the Vietnam War, but none was found for several years. In 1984, an unknown serviceman from that conflict was placed alongside the others. In 1998, however, the Vietnam soldier was identified through DNA tests as Michael Blassie, a 24-year-old Air Force pilot who was shot down in May of 1972 near the Cambodian border. His body was disinterred and reburied by his family in St. Louis, Missouri. To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, The 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil. A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date. The focal point for official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day continues to be the memorial amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns. At 11am on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb. The nation's tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath. The bugler plays "taps." The rest of the ceremony takes place in the amphitheater. Every year the President of the United States urges All Americans to honor the commitment of our Veterans through appropriate public ceremonies.

HOWARD STANLEY GOLDBERG - 12/22/1946 to 12/27/1966 - Vietnam Veterans Memorial | New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial | The Virtual Wall | HonorStates.org GEORGE V. SZCZEPANCZYK - 2/7/1948 to 9/2/1968 - Vietnam Veterans Memorial | New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial | The Virtual Wall | HonorStates.org THOMAS GILBERT ROMAINE - 5/15/1949 to 4/13/1969 - Vietnam Veterans Memorial | New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial | The Virtual Wall | HonorStates.org BRUCE G. WOHLRAB - 1/23/1952 to 3/9/1971 - Vietnam Veterans Memorial | New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial | The Virtual Wall | HonorStates.org KENNETH JOHN KNAG - 6/14/1947 to 11/26/1973 - Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association | AH-1 Vietnam Losses

Taps played by Lt Colonel William McLean, USAF Retired - SBHS Class of '70

In Flanders Field | Debit | In Waters Deep | Just A Common Soldier (A Soldier Died Today) | Armed Forces Tribute


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"Origins" article courtesy of the VFW

"The Minstrel Boy" by Thomas Moore

"All Gave Some" image courtesy of Graphics by Doc