Guest Post: A Look Into Veterans Day

Before I married my husband I didn’t think twice about Veterans Day. For all I knew or cared, it was just another day we got off from school (SCORE!). Soon after we were married, and after his first deployment, I realized what a big deal that day actually was.

When Courtney with Military VA Loan contacted me to see if I was interested in a Veterans Day guest post I honestly blew off the idea at first. Loans for vets was the furthest thing from my mind and not really relevant to what I write about here, but then I loved her post. It’s informative without dragging out details, and she doesn’t throw her site at you (I do encourage you to check it out, though!). 

I know it’s not Veterans Day yet, but I wanted to post this beforehand so you can maybe have a new appreciation for the day, along with some time to plan how you may spend it!  ~Jess

Veterans Day is one of the most respectful and meaningful federal holidays in the United States, yet many people don’t know the reason behind the day or what it celebrates. It is important for us to understand the meaning of the day and not just take the day off to relax and run errands. There is so much cool history and significance to this day! 

Veterans Day originated in 1918 when the Germans signed an armistice that signified the end of World War 1. The signing of this treaty took place at 11am on November 11th, and in 1919 President Woodrow Wilson declared the day as “Armistice Day” and proclaimed it a holiday.

Years later in 1938, the United States Congress declared November 11th a legal holiday to be dedicated to the cause of world peace. Finally, in 1954, Congress amended this act for the last time, and declared November 11th as “Veterans Day,” to include all veterans who had served in World War 2 and the Korean War in addition to those in World War 1. The celebrations of this day now include all veterans who have served in the US Armed Forces since the first World War. The purpose of Veterans Day is to celebrate and honor those who have served, whether in times of peace or war. This day is different from Memorial Day, which is a day set apart to remember and honor those who have died in service. 

Because Veterans Day is a day specifically set apart for celebration, it is important that you get involved and appreciate those who have served to protect our country. There are so many fun ways that you can do this, and your whole family can be involved too!

• 1. Go to a Parade – Many cities and towns hold special parades that honor those from the local area who have served. Going to one of these is an awesome way to get involved in your community and get to know those in your area who have or are serving in the Armed Forces. Parades often have little fairs or farmers markets as well, so it’s a fun time for the whole family.
• 2. Give Meaningful Service – There are many opportunities to volunteer or serve those in the community who have served our country. Visit a VA hospital or rehabilitation center to talk with those who are currently being treated or who are recovering from injuries due to service related accidents or harm. 
• 3. Spend time with Family and Friends – Spending the day with loved ones and enjoying the freedom that we have is a great way to celebrate. Many families have one or more members who have served in the Armed Forces and families can benefit from hearing stories and experiences from those who have given time from their lives to protect our freedom. Spending time with loved ones is a great way to spend the day. 

Be sure to take some time this Veterans Day to visit with a veteran and give thanks for their service and sacrifices. By showing how much we care and how thankful we are, we are, in a small way, paying for the freedom that we so often take for granted. Be sure to thank a vet this Veterans Day!