November Remembered for Veterans Day

1996 marked the first observance of National Veteran and Military Families Month acknowledging the great sacrifices military families make to ensure the nation's freedom. Long separations, at times, both parents are enlisted; there are frequent moves with at times unfavorable living conditions. Families embody strength, resilience, and courage no matter where they live and how long the separation.

Families experience trauma, especially young children who at times are unable to express their feelings. Help is also given to military families in transition into the civilian life.

Robert Gates, former Secretary of Defense, designated November as Warrior Care Month. Thus, since 2008, we honor our wounded warriors who sacrificed so much for both the Corps and for our country.

A much needed service is recognized in November, that being National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM), whether in the military or private sector. Many of these caregivers go unrecognized as they humbly go about the business of caring for others. Families are the primary source of caregivers with ages varying from 50 to 80, unbelievably. It is important a caregiver is cognizant of one’s own health as many times it tends to be ignored while caring for the ill or injured.

On November 10, 2022, Marines across the globe will recognize and celebrate 247 years of service to their country, and sacrifices made. While it’s not all about Marines, all other forces are to be honored each year and forever.

November 10 is used as that is the establishment of the organization of Marine Corps by the Second Continental Congress in 1775. Once the American Revolution ended, so did the Marines by the Treaty of Paris in April of 1783. On July 11, 1789, Congress ordered the creation of the Marine Corps to be available to the Secretary of the Navy.

Gen. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corp stated “as the next evolution of war fighting becomes our reality, it will still be the Marines who defend this Nation”.

The history of Veterans Day is next to impossible to capsulate as so many events came into play. World War 1 ended when the treaty was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. Fighting ceased seven months prior with an armistice between Allied nations and Germany. Hence, the phrase: eleventh hour or the eleventh day of the eleventh month, making November 11, 1918, generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars”.

Initially called Armistice Day, then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation stating “In order to ensure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose”.

After much confusion of when Veterans Day would be as some entities wanted a three-day weekend to include Washington’s birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day as the thought would give days off, stimulate the economy, encourage travel and more, but, it was changed back. In 1975, President Ford signed into law making the national observance of Veterans Day to the original day, November 11. It is a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.