The Timeless Valor of Veteran’s Day: A Homage Through History
Veterans Day, a quiet day in November where a nation stirs with a sense of profound respect. This day, deeply etched into the American fabric, resonates with the courage and sacrifices of millions of Americans who served in the armed forces. Yet, to truly grasp the day’s significance, we must embark on a historical odyssey that transcends the shores of the present-day United States, tracing traditions as ancient as the Roman Empire itself.
The Ancient Echoes of Valor
The celebration of military service has venerable roots, reaching back to the ancient world where the valor of warriors was held in the highest regard, immortalized through ritual and remembrance. In Greece, festivals celebrated the heroics of those who had defended their city-states with honor. The Roman festival of Lemuria honored the spirits of the past, including those of fallen soldiers. And in the ancient Julian calendar, fall was the season for commemorating the dead, but that’s not all.
November 11th was an important date long before WWI’s guns fell silent. While it might be coincidence, some academics contend that the tendrils of history reach pretty deep. Historian Gabrielle Kalapos, in her book, “The Origins of Modern Holidays,” notes that, along with Rome’s autumn tradition, the Celtic Samhain festival and the Germanic Day of the Dead were both observed on November 11th before the Gregorian calendar prompted their shift to November 1st.
Later in history, November 11th heralded Martinmas, commonly known as St. Martin’s Day. Saint Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier that set down his sword to become a Christian monk, died on November 11th in 397 C.E. This solemn date has, for millennia, been at a crossroads for reflecting on sacrifice and mortality.
The Great War and Armistice Day
As the pages of history turn, we come upon the 20th century’s most harrowing conflict—or that’s what they thought at the time. Known at the time as the Great War, the end of combat became effective on the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The armistice on November 11, 1918, marked not just the end of World War I but also the beginning of a solemn tradition—Armistice Day.
Originally a tribute to the armistice’s signatories and the cessation of hostilities, it became a day to honor the valor and sacrifice of service members. Even though hostilities ceased on November 11th, the official end of the war would not come for another seven months, on June 28, 1919, when the Treaty of Versailles was signed.
The first Armistice Day in the United States was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, a year after the end of World War I. The day began with a minute of silence at 11 a.m., which is a tradition that countries observing Remembrance Day still echo. In 1938, Congress declared Armistice Day a legal holiday, a day dedicated to the cause of world peace celebrating the end of “the war to end all wars.”
Not so much.
From Armistice to Veterans Day
The First World War, unfortunately, was not the war to end all wars, and both World War II and the Korean War dramatically increased the number of American war veterans. By itself, World War II saw the greatest mobilization of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen in the Nation’s history. Approximately 16 million Americans served in the Armed Forces during World War II.
With many more veterans and a broader understanding of military service, there was a growing sense that all veterans, not only those who perished in World War I, deserved to be honored. Raymond Weeks first organized a Veterans Day parade for Birmingham, Ala., on Nov. 11, 1947, honoring all of America’s Veterans.
Spearheaded by veterans’ organizations, the push to transform Armistice Day into Veterans Day gained momentum. And in 1954, after considerable advocacy and reflection on the part of the nation and its leaders, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had been the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, signed into law a bill that transformed Armistice Day into Veterans Day—a holiday to thank and honor all who had served in the United States Armed Forces.
A Day of Parades, Ceremonies, but more importantly, Reflection
Today, the United States observes Veterans Day with a series of national and local events. Parades march down the main streets of small towns and big cities alike, while ceremonies at military cemeteries honor those who gave their lives. The most iconic of these observances is the laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, a gesture that symbolizes the nation’s collective reverence and gratitude.
Yet, amidst the pomp, there is a quiet introspection—a collective pause to remember the personal stories, the trials and triumphs, the camaraderie, and the losses. Schools, universities, and communities hold events to educate and remind citizens of the veterans’ deeds, fostering a spirit of gratitude and civic duty. Cynically, and this is the author’s personal perspective, it sometimes feels like most people are just happy to have a day off. But then my 7 yr. old daughter begs me to attend her Veterans Day assembly and it melts my heart.
The Global Tapestry of Military Holidays
While Veterans Day is distinctly American, it shares common threads with international military holidays such as ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand and Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. These observances, though varied in custom, unite under the common theme of honoring those who have donned the uniform and pledged themselves to their country’s service. A particularly striking symbol, reminding onlookers of the day’s true meaning, is the wearing of a red poppy on a jacket’s lapel.
the Digital Commemoration
In the digital age, Veterans Day also finds a place in the online world. Articles, social media posts, and multimedia presentations serve to educate and remind a global audience of the day’s significance. Or maybe even here, a blog that focuses on the good-times, memories and hi-jinks that couldn’t be forged anywhere else but the military.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Gratitude
As the history lesson draws to a close, we find that Veterans Day stands not merely as a holiday but as a beacon of a nation’s enduring gratitude. From the echoes of ancient tributes to today’s digital commemorations, the day invites us to honor the past while reflecting on the legacy of freedom and service that shapes our present and future. Veterans Day is a day rich with valor and meaning, a bond threading through all, reminding us of the sacrifices of those who served. And for those who did, we would like to offer a profound thank you.
