The signing of the truce (in a railroad car in the Forest of Compiegne, France) between the Allies and Germany that ended World War I is the origin of Veterans Day. The armistice occurred on 11.11.1918.

Not to be confused with Memorial Day which honors those who died serving our country, Veterans Day celebrates veterans, both living and dead and places a special emphasis on thanking living veterans for their service. It is an official federal holiday.

President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. He stated:

“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.”

Of local interest: The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will host its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Courtyard located on the VA Medical Center Campus. For more information, please contact: vhabaypublicaffairs@va.gov or call 727.398.9531.

Related Reading:

• To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918, by Adam Hochschild
• A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, 1914 to 1918, by G.J. Meyer
• The Great War and Modern Memory, by Paul Russell
• www.firstworldwar.com  (Multimedia history of World War I)