Celebrating Our Veterans
Written by Kathryn Golding
Almost sixteen hundred days of fighting in what was thought to be “the war to end all wars” prompted Congress to create a national holiday celebrating the end of World War I. Armistice Day was created to take place on November 11, the day fighting in World War I ended. As it was developed, the holiday was meant to specifically celebrate the war efforts of veterans who fought in the first world war. President Woodrow Wilson, intended for the holiday to be observed with parades and public meetings. Despite the day originally intended to celebrate the significance of World War I veterans, many changes followed. A few major changes occurred after the vast amount of troops and soldiers World War II required. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Congress finally listened to the various veteran organizations that had urged all veterans to be included in the holiday in 1954.
Armistice Day was officially changed to Veterans Day. In the Act of 1938, it was decided the day would celebrate and honor the courage and sacrifices of veterans from all wars, not just World War I.
The Uniform Holiday Bill, introduced in 1968, suggested an interesting change to the federal holiday. This bill was created to allow federal workers three consecutive days off of work, four federal holidays were moved to Mondays. Veterans Day was among Columbus Day, Washington’s Birthday, and Memorial Day to be affected by the new law. In 1971, the change caused confusion, and Veterans Day was celebrated on October 25 instead of November 11. The importance of November 11,the anniversary of the end of World War I, was so significant that a new law dedicating November 11 to all of the United States veterans was put in place, effectively moving the holiday back to its original date.
Although not typically a day off of work or school, many celebrations to honor Veterans Day are still held each year. Some schools take the day off, while others, like ThunderRidge, host their own celebrations local veterans may attend. TRHS ProStart is hosting a celebration for veteran family members of students on November 11, from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Other schools invite veteran family members to attend, and some even encourage students to meet veterans they don’t know and invite them to the celebrations on their own.
The COVID-19 pandemic made it harder for veterans, some of whom are disabled and possibly more susceptible to illness, to come together and celebrate. Fortunately, celebrations are expected to carry on like normal this year with only small changes to accommodate for the pandemic.
The Douglas County Library in Highlands Ranch is hosting the Highlands Ranch Veterans Day Celebration on November 11 at 6:30 p.m. The library is next to Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument, where a special tribute memorial will be located to honor three veterans who grew up in Highlands Ranch. Some nearby events, like the Eighth Annual Denver Veterans Day Festival, are set to take place on November 6th, the weekend before Veterans Day, to allow more people to attend. There are also events like the Denver Veterans Day Run that take place the weekend after on November 13th.
Veterans and active service members in the military sacrifice a lot to protect our country. They demonstrate an impressive amount of courage when they train and go on to work in active war zones to defend us. If there’s a veteran in your life, be sure to show them your appreciation, whether you’re taking them to a celebration or simply thanking them for their service. To all the veterans out there, thank you for your service and have a great Veterans Day!
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