Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11. It is a holiday where the men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces are honored for their courageous contributions to America. Veterans Day also marks the anniversary of the end of World War I. 

World War I, or “The Great War,” officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in France. The Treaty of Versailles was a peace document signed between imperial Germany and the Allied Powers on this date. However, fighting ceased seven months prior when an armistice–or temporary cessation of hostilities–between the Allied nations [Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Canada, Japan, and the United States], and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Furthermore, for that exact reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars” according to (va.gov).

In November 1919, President Wilson declared November 11 as the first tribute of Armistice Day with the following words: “To use in America, the reflection of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who dies in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” Junior Dea Pulatani said the speech was “an inspirational, powerful statement that must have lifted the spirits of so many during a bittersweet time as that of the end of a world war.” She feels that the time of the end of the war was so powerful by evidence in the ability of America to come together each year on the day of November 11 to celebrate the heroes of America. “Not all heroes wear capes,” she says. 

There are many ways people can get involved in giving back to veterans. For example, students have written letters of gratitude or even sent care packages as a way of giving thanks to the people who have served. Junior Eliza Fucci, who is part of the Oceanside Library’s “Think Tank” (a group where students come up with community service ideas), proposed the idea during a meeting to make care packages with baked goods, books, and letters to send to veterans. “This is the perfect way to give back to our veterans and to hopefully bring a smile to their face. It is important that we do anything we can to let them know how appreciative we are of their services,” Fucci shared. 

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week which it falls on. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day not only brings remembrance to the historical significance of the date, but it helps focus attention on the important meaning of Veterans Day. “It’s a day to honor the Veterans of America for the love of our country and the will to sacrifice their lives for the greater good of America,” states junior Peter Marinos.