US Department of Veterans Affairs
“About 18 million Veterans are living among us, in every state and territory, and from every walk of life. Many of the students in your class may be the son, daughter, cousin, or other relative of a Veteran or current Service member. By discussing these crucial members of our society, your students can hear from and about those who helped shape U.S. history. We hope students will be encouraged to learn more of these often unheard stories from those close to them.” US Department of Veterans Affairs
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day and called upon Americans everywhere to re-dedicate themselves to the cause of peace.
The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. At 11 a.m., a color guard made up of members from each branch of the military renders honors to America’s war dead during a tradition-rich ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Inscribed on the back of the Tomb are the words: “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.” The President or his representative places a wreath at the Tomb and a bugler sounds “Taps.” The balance of the ceremony, including a “Parade of Flags” by numerous VSOs, takes place inside the Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb.
