Monfredo: Veterans’ Day … A Special Holiday!
Saturday, November 15, 2014
A brief history about this tells us it all started during World War I when a treaty was signed between the Allied nations and Germany that it went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” In 1926, Armistice Day became the official name for this day and it was proclaimed a national holiday 12 years later. However, a few years later World War II erupted in Europe shattering the idealistic belief that World War I had been "the War to end all Wars." The concept of this national holiday thus evolved to become one that honored all veterans who served America in all wars, and on November 11, 1954 this day was officially renamed Veterans’ Day.
Then in 1968,the Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed. This was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.
The Veterans’ Day Monday holiday was changed in 1975 for President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans’ Day to its original date of November 11,. (Beginning in 1978)
Veterans’ Day continues to be observed on November 11 regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day … A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Thus, as a school committee member and on behalf of the over 24,000 children in the Worcester Public Schools, I’d like to thank the veterans for their sacrifices and for the freedom that we as Americans may take for granted. Let us not only reflect and remember those brave men and women who went to war to preserve our freedom on this day but every day.
Here is a short poem for all of us to think about... It’s entitled “The Veteran”
IT IS THE VETERAN, NOT THE PREACHER WHO HAS GIVEN US FREEDOM OF RELIGION
IT IS THE VETERAN, NOT THE REPORTER WHO HAS GIVEN US FREEDOM OF THE PRESS,
IT IS THE VETERAN, NOT THE POET WHO HAS GIVEN US FREEDOM OF SPEECH
IT IS THE VETERAN, NOT THE CAMPUS ORGANIZER , WHO HAS GIVEN US FREEDOM TO ASSEMBLE..
IT IS THE VETERAN, NOT THE LAWYER, WHO HAS GIVEN UP THE RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL…
IT IS THE VETERAN, NOT THE POLITICIAN, WHO HAS GIVEN US THE RIGHT TO VOTE…
IT IS THE VETERAN WHO SALUTES THE FLAG… GOD BLESS THEM ALL..
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