Sooner or later in your life you are going to see a man or a woman in uniform.  Standing before you are many different soldiers of the different branches but all of them wear the flag on their uniform, they all fight for freedom and the rightful treatment of all.

With today being Veterans Day its sad to see that not many people other than veterans themselves fully understand what the day means other than its time to go outside and grill.  In November of 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day, the Treaty of Versailles was signed and for that reason was known as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

One year later in November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of 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 main concept of the day was for all businesses to close at 11:00 a.m. so that everyone could enjoy a day off to thank veterans of all services.  Years later on May 13, 1938 congress passed an act that approved the recognition of November 11 as a legal yearly holiday as a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.”

Armistice Day was mainly meant to celebrate the veterans of the first world war, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen in the nation’s history, followed by fighting in Korea, The 83^rd Congress chose to strike out “Armistice” and replace it with the word “Veterans.” On June 1, 1954, November 11^th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Later the same year, on October 8^th President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” which stated: “in order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”

So this Veterans Day, The Cougar Claw asks you to please thank every veteran you see today and if you have time take a road trip to Magnolia and see the traveling Vietnam Memorial.  It is a grim and thought-provoking reminder of the sacrifice made by our veterans.

** Cougar Claw writer Adam Bergeron is also currently a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. **