Ukrainian American Veterans

Origins of Veterans Day


An unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington Nation Cemetery in 1921. This site, a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington has become the focal point of reverence for America’s veterans.

In England and France, similar ceremonies occurred where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor. In England it was in Westminster Abbey and in France by the Arc de Triomphe. These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, recognizing the celebrated ending of World War 1 fighting 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”.

In 1926 through a Congressional resolution, Armistice Day officially received its name. Twelve years later it became a national holiday. If the hope that World War I was “the War to end all Wars”, November 11th could possible still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years later war broke out in Europe. A war in which Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part with four hundred and seven thousand dying in service, 292,000 in battle.

Armistice Day changed To Honor All Veterans

Recognizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WW II and Korea, Congress was requested to make this day an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. President Eisenhower, in 1954, signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.

On Memorial Day in 1958, two more unidentified American war dead were brought from overseas and interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier of World War I. One was killed in World War II, the other in the Korean War. In 1973, a law passed providing interment of an unknown American from the Vietnam War.

The 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), an Army honor guard, keeps day and night vigil.

National Ceremonies Held at Arlington

The focal point for official, national ceremonies for Veterans day continues to be the memorial amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns. At 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes “Present Arms” at the tomb. The nation’s tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath. The bugler plays “taps.” The rest of the ceremony takes place in the amphitheater.

Every year the President of the United States urges all Americans to honor the commitment of our Veterans through appropriate public ceremonies.

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Present by the Private Andrew Prestash Post 15 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, Walter Demetro Adjutant

Copyright © 1997-2001 by Walter Demetro of PC HELP L.L.C., and
Ukrainian American Veterans, Inc. All rights reserved.

Last updated May 31, 2002.