By Del "Abe" Jones
Nov. 10, 2005
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A HISTORY OF VETERAN’S DAY 1918 The Great War ends in the Eleventh month On the Eleventh hour of the Eleventh day It was called the “War to end all Wars” At least, that’s what they used to say. 1919 President Wilson proclaimed Armistice Day To Honor those who died in “The Great War” To “Celebrate the sanctity of Peace” Was what this Special Day was for. 1920 The second Anniversary of the Armistice France and England honored their Unknown Dead President Wilson named the nearest Sunday To be “Armistice Day Sunday”, in its stead. 1921 The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier Was Dedicated at Arlington Congress Declared the Eleventh a Federal Holiday For the year of Nineteen twenty-one. 1938 Legislation is passed by Congress To make it a legal Federal Holiday And most States choose to follow suit And Honor that same Armistice Day. 1941-1945 World War Two is fought and won And adds several millions more Of Veterans who Served our Country And who Fought in another World War. 1950-1953 We had the War in Korea And once more those numbers grew Making three within the Tomb Of those Soldiers no one knew. 1954 President Eisenhower changed the name And since then, known as Veteran’s Day To Honor all who have ever Served Our Nation in that Military way. 1961-1970 We had America’s longest War That was never to be completed Some wounds lasting until this day Sadly, back Home some were mistreated. 1968 Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law Changing it to the fourth one in October Why they had to mess with it? I bet they didn’t even know, for sure. 1978 They changed their mind once again In Seventy-five, to change it back Seems they’d have better things to do But for wasting time, they have a knack. To Present Seems we have been at War forever And sometimes seems to be no end Will we ever have Peace on Earth And Troops with nowhere to send? For as long as we need them We will have those who Serve us all Who will step up, do Wartime’s job Whenever they hear our Nation’s call. So this day let’s tell them, “Thank you!” And show all those Brave Souls we care Whether they Serve us here at home Or somewhere afar, way over there. And let’s say a Prayer for all those Lost Heroes of whom we stand in awe For giving their all to Wartime’s curse To this sad, uniquely Human flaw. Del "Abe" Jones 11-10-2005