By US Rep. Leonard Boswell





With all the excitement surrounding the election this year it may be easy to forget another important day early in November: Veterans Day. However, as a veteran myself I’d like to remind everyone to please remember to thank those who served in our military by celebrating Veterans Day on November 11.

Veterans Day was originally named Armistice Day and was celebrated to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. It was made a legal holiday in 1938 and has been celebrated annually on November 11, ever since. Yet, it wasn’t until after World War II, a war which required the greatest number of military personnel in the nation’s history that the name was officially changed to Veterans Day and became recognized as a day of gratitude to all veterans of the United States Armed Services. On June 1, 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation that amended the original act of 1938 by striking the word Armistice and replacing it with Veterans, extending recognition to all of those who had served. In 1971, in an attempt to insure federal employees would have a three day weekend, Veterans Day was celebrated on Monday, October 25. However it was clear that this holiday was very special to a lot of people and so the date was moved back to November 11 in 1975 by President Gerald Ford. Veterans Day is now celebrated only on November 11 regardless of what day of the week it happens to fall on.

It’s important that we as Iowans remember to thank those who have served our country so bravely and sacrificed for this nation, even if they survived combat. Many of us know veterans or have veterans in our family, we need to remember that these men and women have helped in some way to protect much of what we often times take for granted, like freedom and opportunity. These men and women often leave behind family who must then wait anxiously for their safe return. Through their sacrifice our veterans provide an excellent example of believing in cause greater than ourselves.

In addition to simply saying, “Thank you” to our veterans this November 11, you may be interested in doing more to honor our veterans. If this is the case there are several things you can do. First is to talk to your local VFW, many of which have programs that will allow you to meet and talk to a veteran in your area, giving you an opportunity to hear about some of their experiences. Additionally you may be interested in serving local veterans; you can do this by volunteering at a nearby VA Medical Center and other places that assist veterans.

I hope you will join me and countless other Americans in honoring our veterans this November 11.