I was born into a family of veterans. I am a (Navy) veteran. I am the daughter of a disabled Navy WWII, Korean War veteran (and Vietnam era) father and my mother is a peacetime (Navy) veteran (between Korea and Vietnam). I have 20 years combined federal service (16 of which I worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs), so I will share the following regarding Veterans Day.
Note the classic typewriter behind his Navy friend to the right.
Did you know…
“Veterans Day” was not always called Veterans Day. The main reason many of us (today) know it as Veterans Day is because the current name is the name many of us have been exposed to during most of our lifetime. However, if you delve into the history of this holiday, there’s more to it.
Armistice Day
Did you know Veterans Day was originally proclaimed as Armistice Day in 1919, after WWI. It was a day set apart to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice (death) for our freedom after WWI and to remember our WWI victory.
WWI
WWI dates from 28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918, and was also known as the Great War. It was a war between two global powers called the Allied Powers and the Central Powers, which took place in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Adriatic and resulted in nearly 20 million military and civilian deaths.
This poster was a replica of a WWI Navy Recruiting poster I got in the 1970’s. It suffered water damage so I had to cut it down and put it in a frame to salvage the rest. On the bottom it used to say:
“BE A MAN AND DO IT UNITED STATES NAVY RECRUITING STATION”
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following 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…”
https://department.va.gov/veterans-day/history-of-veterans-day/
Photo Copyright JoElla Younkin 1972-2025
On November 11, 1921, an unidentified American soldier killed in the war was buried at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. On the same day the previous year, unidentified soldiers were laid to rest at Westminster Abbey in London and at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-veterans-day
Focusing on our Nation’s Historical Roots…
I believe the idea of changing the name of Veterans Day, if it happens, is about focusing on our nation’s original, historical roots. It is NOT about dishonoring veterans. It’s about accurately remembering how we became the nation we are today and remembering the sacrifices paid by those that went before us.
Not to be confused with Memorial Day…
Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it started following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Therefore, Memorial Day precedes Veterans Day.
Veteran Benefits: Our Nation Cares
Having worked for VA, including processing veterans disability claims, medical claims; ordering and paying for prosthetics for disabled veterans, I can personally testify that I know our nation cares for our veterans. The VA has cared for my mother after my father passed away due to his service connected disabilities (DIC). My husband’s mother received a Survivor’s Pension from the VA. I was able to use a portion of my father’s GI bill to go to college. (This benefit opportunity has since changed.) My mother was able to go to college after my father passed away, which was paid for by VA. (This benefit may have changed.)
As a (non-disabled) honorably discharged veteran, I’ve had the privilege of using my VA home loan benefits to purchase homes (that’s right “HOMES” because it’s not a ONE time opportunity) and to get a job working for the VA. As a (non-disabled) honorably discharged veteran, I am also eligible for medical care at the VA if I want or need it and I am eligible for VA burial benefits.
Not only do veterans have access to federal benefits, there are some state benefits; as well as many discounts offered by the private sector. Veterans have access to many non-profit organizations that specialize in supporting veterans. (Disabled, wounded, homeless villages, etc.) A service disabled veteran owner (SDVO) business gets preference for doing business with the VA.
If a veteran is not receiving ANY veteran benefits, it’s primarily because they don’t understand how the system works, they gave up fighting for their rights or they don’t qualify related to some sort of military misconduct which lead to a dishonorable discharge that caused them to lose their right to benefits.
There’s help out there!
The next time you see a veteran on the corner holding a sign asking for money, point them to the nearest veteran organization. There are trained people out there to help them. A veteran can appeal to VA for their rights.
There’s a short list of organizations that are out there to support and help veterans: