By KAREN LAGRANGE COX
Originally published October 21, 2022; republished November 10, 2024
Veterans Day is on November 11 and was initially known as Armistice Day. The date coincides with the signing of the Armistice, which ended fighting between Germany and the Allies during World War I. The Armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, the first Armistice Day. In 1954, the name was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
There are many ways to honor our veterans who fought for us and our country. For this Veterans Day, and on any day, you may want to consider doing something to honor them. These are some of the ways to celebrate a veteran:
- Local veterans groups, such as Broussard-Larriviere-Trahan Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9210 and Acadiana Veterans Honor Guard, welcome donations to support veterans.
- When encountering a veteran, thank them for their service.
- Listen to their story.
- Ask a veteran about their time in the service, which brand of the military they served in, etc.
- Schools could have their students write letters or send greeting cards to service men and women.
- Display an American flag in honor of our veterans.
- Plant a tree in honor of a veteran.
- Donate blood in honor of a veteran.
Difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day
Remember the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is for those who lost their lives while in service, while Veterans Day is honoring living veterans.
