MY POINT OF VIEW: How Armistice Day became Veterans Day

Soldiers celebrating after hearing of the Armistice in 1918. Internet photo

by Gary Kennedy

At 11:00 a.m., on November 11, 1918, the Allied Powers signed a cease fire agreement with Germany at Compiegne, France, which terminated the war known to us as World War I. Armistice Day, so called was commemorated by the U.S.A., France and Great Britain. This was a celebration as the war to end all wars. Interestingly it was signed on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918.

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the First Armistice Day the following year, 1919, with these famous words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died 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.”

Of course, the world didn’t learn much after hundreds of thousands of deaths. Actually, it wasn’t very long at all before we became caught up in World War II, another bloody four-year war. Then in 1954 the U.S.A. designated November 11 as Veteran’s Day to honor all those who gave their lives in U.S. wars. However, the British Commonwealth Countries decided on Remembrance Day, to honor their fallen. Then came the Korean War which was a conflict between North and South Korea. The North was communist in character and the South was capitalistic. I guess we Americans are fully aware of how that works. Unfortunately, most of the time the communists seem to maintain their ground. This battle was fought from June 1950 until July 1953. The causation and American involvement was mostly to do with the Cold War between the Soviet Union, China and the U.S. with some Japanese interplay. The main reason the U.S. got involved was its desire to avoid the spread of Communism. The Truman Doctrine was the name of this endeavor. American President, Harry S Truman firmly believed that communism needed to be contained at all cost.

On June 27, 1950, the U.S. officially entered the Korean War. President Truman ordered American forces to repel an invasion from North Korea. The Korean War was a proxy war for the cold war. The war ended in a virtual stalemate. The border remained the same.

War has been the norm for many centuries and for many reasons, most have not led to the solution of the cause. It seems we just don’t learn. Japan had some control of North Korea during this time, thus the communistic influence. For those of you who don’t understand the implication of a proxy war or the influence of such, Korea is a good example. The North of Korea began to lean toward communism because of Japanese occupation and Russian and Chinese influence while the Southern half of Korea tended to lean toward capitalism. So the short story would be the war was brought about/influenced by outside players. Once again the U.S. was morally involved. Once again the solution could only be dealt with violence and death. It always seemed the world was crying for freedom. The United States has always been a major player in the plea for freedom and peace.

From the American Revolution to the Iraq War, the U.S. has fought in 12 major wars. However, the list contains 93 wars in total. This figure is up for discussion, another figure being 143. In any case you can see why “Veterans Day” more apply applies when compared to Armistice or Remembrance Day. Our prayers should be for a lasting peace in which we need not search for titles to be given to the event of needless grief and death. That will require a humanitarian outlook on life and living without such life threatening conflict.

I have always been a firm believer in a peaceful, loving and even varied point of view. There is always more than one way to reach the same outcome or point of view. I am sure it can be achieved without the application of pain and suffering. I personally pray for the day that the word Veteran refers only to having done it before. All being said and done, happy Veterans Day. God bless all with hearts of peace and for now remember all those who have given so much of themselves in order that we may continue the journey to equality.

Also don’t forget that Memorial Day praises and honors those who have lost their lives in pursuit of peace and Veterans Day gives honor to those who served but survived in the same pursuit.

God Bless America.