On November 11, 1918 the conflict that would later become known as World War I ended. It was supposed to be “The war to end all warsâ€. Sadly it was not and since that day many thousands of loyal Americans have served, fought and died for the country they love. That first holiday was celebrated as Armistice Day.
In 1954, encouraged by a groundswell of public opinion, the U.S. Congress passed a bill changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. The idea was started in Emporia, Kansas by Alfred King, a local businessman. He had been involved in an organization known as War Dads during World War II. He wanted the holiday to recognize all veterans. Ed Rees, then serving in Congress, introduced the bill. Later, President Eisenhower would issue the first Veterans Day Proclamation which stated:
“In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”
In Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, he spoke these famous words regarding veterans and their families:
“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.â€
All of us at Idaho Estate Planning would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to every veteran of our armed forces. We know that were it not for you we would not enjoy the freedoms and personal liberties we are afforded. We love and pray for all our service men and women and all of our veterans. Thank you.
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