Hurlburt celebrates Veterans Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angela Shepherd
  • 16 SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla --  For decades, America has observed Veterans Day to honor its veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Today will be no different as Hurlburt Field hosts a ceremony in honor of the holiday, which officially falls on Saturday this year.

At 3 p.m., military and civilian alike will gather in the Air Park to pay tribute to all of America's men and women who have ever served their country. Tributes will include a Veteran's Salute and a rendition of the Armed Forces Medley, which combines the songs of all five branches.

Not to be confused with Memorial Day in May, which is to honor military members who died serving their country, Veterans Day is a day to say thank you to all military members who have ever served or are still serving today.

The holiday got its start almost 90 years ago.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, went into effect between the Allied nations and Germany, and is now generally known as the end of World War I.
In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.

The original concept called for parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business at 11 a.m. In 1938, the day was declared a national holiday still known as Armistice Day, but was only intended to celebrate veterans of WWI.
In 1954, however, after American servicemembers served in World War II and in Korea, Congress changed Armistice to Veterans and declared it a national day to honor American veterans of all wars.

After a 1968 bill was passed, moving the official observance of the holiday to a Monday as a way to ensure three-day weekends for Federal Employees, the day the holiday should be observed became a little blurry.

So, in 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law that returned the holiday to its original day of celebration, Nov. 11.

Since the law took effect in 1978, the holiday is nationally observed every year on the same day, but celebrations can occur anytime within the week around the holiday.