By LAURIE VOSS
Circulation Supervisor,
Warsaw Community Public Library

Veteran’s Day was established as a holiday on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Originally called Armistice Day, it was officially changed to Veteran’s Day and became a national holiday in 1938.

In 1945, Raymond Weeks, a WWII veteran from Alabama, proposed the idea that all veterans be honored on Nov. 11, not just those that served in WWI. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan honored Weeks with a Presidential Medal of Honor.

In 1968, Congress passed a Uniform Holidays Bill, placing Veteran’s Day as the fourth Monday in October. In 1975, President Gerald Ford moved it to Nov. 11, in remembrance of that historical event.

Veteran’s Day honors all persons who have served in the military, whereas Memorial Day is for those who died in service or as a result to injuries suffered.

While I was never in the service, I did apply, but circumstances did not allow me to join. I do honor my father and two brothers who did serve; my oldest brother being injured and honorably discharged years ago.

The facts presented are from www.history.com, and is a great site to go to for information, videos, speeches and more.
There are 9.2 million veteran’s over age 65, and 1.9 million under the age of 35. 1.8 million veterans are women. My 93 year-old mother-in-law was an Army Nurse in World War II.

33 percent of all living veteran’s come from the Vietnam War, numbering 7.8 million; 5.2 million served during the Gulf War; 2.6 million served during WWII, and 2.8 million served during the Korean War.

We all complain about what is going on in our world today, but we have many freedoms that are a direct result of the unselfishness that a military person has given.

Stop in at the Warsaw Community Public Library and check into the myriad of books we have on the subject of the military, and of Veteran’s Day in particular. Teach the student in your home about the braveness of our military men and women, and be sure to thank them for their service.

If you have a chance attend one of the parades or programs that are held in their honor; pick up the check for their lunch, or stop and say thank you and shake their hands. Their sacrifice is unlike anything that the rest of us have experienced.