Veterans Day

Veteran’s Day

Chris Croft

US Army Veteran

and

Kansas State Representative

In preparation to write an article, I spoke with many veterans on the meaning of Veteran’s Day. To a person, all were thankful for the appreciation of their service. In fact, many were embarrassed by the comments. Days like Veteran’s Day help to provide a sense of purpose. A purpose that drives them through difficulties. Today the number of veterans that serve in congress and the state legislature is less than 20%, the lowest levels in history. Veterans currently make up less than 5% of the American population. It is important that we never forget their service and sacrifice.

In 1954, Kansas’s own, President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared November 11th as Veteran’s Day.

The Proclamation reads;

“Whereas it has long been our custom to commemorate November 11, the anniversary of the ending of World War I, by paying tribute to the heroes of that tragic struggle and by rededicating ourselves to the cause of peace; and

Whereas in the intervening years the United States has been involved in two other great military conflicts, which have added millions of veterans living and dead to the honor rolls of this Nation; and

Whereas the Congress passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926 (44 Stat. 1982), calling for the observance of November 11 with appropriate ceremonies, and later provided in an act approved May 13, 1938 (52 Stat. 351), that the eleventh of November should be a legal holiday and should be known as Armistice Day; and

Whereas, in order to expand the significance of that commemoration and in order that a grateful Nation might pay appropriate homage to the veterans of all its wars who have contributed so much to the preservation of this Nation, the Congress, by an act approved June 1, 1954 (68 Stat. 168), changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day:

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954, as Veterans Day.

On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain. I also direct the appropriate officials of the Government to arrange for the display of the flag of the United States on all public buildings on Veterans Day.

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.”

On this day, let us all seek out a veteran and ask them about their service and how they are doing. Thank them for bravely doing what they were called to do – defend freedom with strength and honor.