Veteran’s Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

On November 11, 1918, the German Deutsches Heer (Imperial German Army) held a cease-fire that ended the fighting of World War I — at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was “the War to end all wars,” November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But, only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe. (World War II) Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle. U.S. Representative Edward Page  Rees of Kansas proposed a bill that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.

In 1921 an unknown American soldier was buried in Arlington national Cemetary. This site and the city of Washington D.C. became the focal point of reverence for America’s veteran’s Similar ceremonies were held in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor. These memorial gestures were held on November 11 to give universal recognition to the celebrated end of World War I fighting at 11 a.m. November 11, 1918. The day became known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was given its name in 1926 and became a national holiday 12 years later. It was then changed to honor all veterans and not just World War I veterans. The first celebration using the term veteran’s day happened in 1947 in Birmingham Alabama. In 1954 a bill was passed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. There are currently around 1,260,000 veterans in America. 

Students from Morton East share their thoughts and feelings about Veteran’s Day.

“Veteran’s Day is a pretty cool holiday to celebrate — not only for the veterans that sacrificed their lives for the country but also for people who want to remember them for their bravery.  While there (will always be) people who remember the bad, there are other people who remember the good:  the sacrifices, (positive) changes, and the revelation stuff.  I like to reflect on that on Veteran’s Day,” Christopher Barrera, a Morton student, said.

“Veterans are very helpful, they do their services, but a lot of people don’t respect their work,” junior Julissa Cisneros said.

“It’s pretty cool, the sacrifice they’ve done for this country,” sophomore Erika Mendoza said.

“I think Veteran’s Day is important; people fought for our country.  It’s important to think about; I personally have cousins in the army, ” Emanuel Velasco said.

“I think it’s an important holiday that we should celebrate and honor the people that fight for our country,” Daisy said

“We should celebrate it because there are people fighting for our country and we should honor them in a way,” David said

Morton administrators also contribute by continuing to also show their appreciation for those who fought and lost their lives during service.

“Veterans Day is a good idea to honor our fallen soldiers and those who are serving today, that defend our country. I think a lot of people celebrate it without knowing because a lot of people have the day off, there a lot of people that I know who put their American flag out; some do put the yellow ribbon out sometimes around their tree as well,” Morton security guard Luis Ballesteros said.

“I think veterans provide a lot of things that go beyond just fighting. I think the armed forces and military, in general, do a lot of things humanitarian, when you look at areas hit by hurricanes or natural disasters a lot of the armed forces are there giving them water, giving them food, making sure people have supplies.  I think when we think of veterans we think of them fighting for our freedom but in my opinion, the most important thing they do is that they provide that humanitarian aid to people that need it,” English teacher Mr. Tim Brusveen said.

“I have a brother-in-law who is a veteran. Veterans provide perspectives that other people don’t have and a reminder to remember that there are people out there fighting and defending the country and making it a better place,  (My brother-in-law) was stationed in different parts of the world and he learned a lot of perspectives from the cultures he saw there; he brought those perspectives back to his family here.  He’s more open-minded with a world-view:  what he saw and learned in South Korea or Africa.  It’s not always about war,” English teacher Mr. Joel Ruvulcaba said.

“Veterans remind us that freedom isn’t free. Veterans remind us that there is a cost that has to be paid in order for us to be free and they have served to ensure that we can be free,” social studies teacher Mr. Sony Thevalakara said.