MEEKER — In 1920, on the second anniversary of the Armistice, ceremonies occurred in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor (in England at Westminster Abbey; in France at the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on Nov. 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as “Armistice Day.”
In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson named the Sunday, Armistice Day Sunday, on which should be held services in the interest of international peace.
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. Congress declared Nov. 11 a legal federal holiday to honor all those who participated in the war.
Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 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,” Nov. 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe; 16.5 million Americans took part and 407,000 of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle.
Armistice Day changed to honor all veterans
1941-1945/1950-1953 — World War II and the Korean War created millions of additional war veterans in addition to those of the first World War already honored by Armistice Day.
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 Nov. 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 the 1990s this veteran was identified and removed.) To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, the 3rd 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 Nov. 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.
National ceremonies held at Arlington
The focal point for official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day continues to be the memorial amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns. At 11 a.m. on Nov. 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.
Kilduff is the Meeker VFW Post 5843 commander.
