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It is known as Remembrance Day in Canada and Britain, Veterans’ Day in the U.S, and was initially named Armistice Day 88 years ago at the end of the first World War.
The word Armistice means “truce” and refers to Nov. 11, 1918, when President Woodrow Wilson declared that the country would honor WWI troops on this day.
At the time, WWI was perhaps the worst war the world had ever seen. The truce, promoting and celebrating peace, came about when WWI’s fighting ended in 1918. It ended at 11 a.m, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month; November 11, 1918.
The name was changed from Armistice day to Veterans’ Day in 1954 by Eisenhower. The day was now to honor not only the soldiers of WWI, but all that served in all wars that had taken place.
The day appreciates the courageous ambiguity each soldier takes on upon becoming part of the armed forces.
In honor of the day, U.S. flags are prominently displayed on all government buildings in Washington. Parades around the country are held. Graves of soldiers are visited.
Adam Mills, an undecided, 4th year student said a highway was named after his cousin, who received the prestigious medal of honor in his home-town.
A prominent national ceremony is held at the tomb of The Unknown Soldier, located in Arlington Cemetary.
The tomb symbolizes and honors all the unidentified soldiers who were killed in action. At the ceremony the president of the U.S lays a wreath at the base of the tomb.
Despite these appreciative and traditional actions to honor Veterans’ Day, Crystal Robinson, a Dental student scheduled to begin in the fall does not think people honor the day like they should at all. Robinson said, a person that knows a veteran might wish him or her Happy Veterans’ Day.
She believes a reason that it is underappreciated is the fact that it is not promoted as days like Halloween and Valentine’s Day are.
David Sansfacon, junior computer information system major, has two friends in Iraq and plans on writing or talking with them for Veterans’ Day. His family always displays a flag in the front of his house as well. He believes thanking a veteran really does raise their spirits.
Sansfacon said “It doesn’t matter if you support the war or not, support the troops.”
