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The Story of Veterans Day
Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military – living and
dead – whether in wartime or peace. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living Veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who serve have sacrificed and done their duty.
While Veterans Day is often confused with Memorial Day, the two observances serve different purposes
and have different histories. Memorial Day, which has its roots in the post-Civil War effort to “memorialize” all those who died in that war, has become a modern holiday to remember those from all wars and conflicts who gave their lives in service to the country. To ensure the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000 the U.S. Congress passed and the President signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act” to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a two minutes of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.
Veterans Day, however, was first known as Armistice Day as a celebration of the resolution of World War I, a peace recognized historically on the date and time of that event, November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m., and salutes surviving service members as well as those who have passed away since their service.
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. He issued a presidential order directing the head of the Veterans Administration (now the Department of Veterans Affairs) to form a Veterans Day National Committee (VDNC) to organize and oversee the national observance of Veterans Day. In addition to fulfilling that mission, the committee oversees the annual production and distribution of a Veterans Day poster and Teachers Resource Guide.
In 1968 in keeping with the Monday Holiday Bill, Congress briefly moved Veterans Day to the 4th Monday
in October, but it became quickly apparent that the American public held fast to the historical significance of the First World War armistice on November 11, and in 1978 Veterans Day was returned permanently to its traditional date.
Hence, the Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National
Cemetery. At 11:00 a.m. E.T., a color guard made up of members from each branch of the military renders honors to America’s deceased Veterans during a tradition-rich ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 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 Veterans Service Organizations (VSO), takes place inside the Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb.
On October 7, 2016, President Obama signed the Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act. The law requires
that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe a two-minute national moment of silence on Veterans Day at 3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time, 2:11 p.m. Eastern standard time, 1:11 p.m. Central standard time, 12:11 p.m. Mountain standard time, 11:11 a.m. Pacific standard time, 10:11 a.m. Alaska standard time, and 9:11 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian standard time.
In addition to planning and coordinating the National Veterans Day Ceremony, the VDNC supports a
number of Veterans Day Regional Sites. These sites conduct Veterans Day celebrations that provide excellent examples for other communities to follow. To learn more about the Veterans Day National Committee and the Veterans Day Regional Sites at department.va.gov/veterans-day. 
POW and MIA
A Prisoner of War (POW) is any person captured or placed in prison (interned) by an enemy power during
an international armed conflict. Missing in Action (MIA) is a person whose status and/or whereabouts is unknown. A known POW is not “MIA,” but a person “MIA” may be an unidentified POW. MIA status is often the temporary report until a serviceperson’s whereabouts can be identified and his or her status confirmed. Sadly, some Servicemembers’ status becomes permanently MIA. Military POWs and MIAs are all Veterans.
According to the Pentagon’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), as of Aug 8, 2024, there are
currently more than 81,200 unaccounted for U.S. personnel, including 72,044 from World War II, 7,465 from the Korean War, 126 from the Cold War, 1,575 from the Vietnam War, and six from Iraq and other recent conflicts. For current counts, please visit DPAA’s website at www.dpaa.mil.
The distinctive black and white POW/MIA flag was adopted in 1972 as the official emblem of the
National League of POW/MIA Families. Congress has approved displaying the POW/MIA flag at all military and VA facilities.
In 2019, the National POW/MIA Flag Act was signed into law, requiring the POW/MIA flag to be flown on
designated federal properties, including the U.S. Capitol Building and the White House “on all days the U.S. flag is flown” and “in a manner designed to ensure visibility to the public.”
POWs and MIAs remain part of the Nation’s Veteran community, and they should never be forgotten, or
their sacrifice considered less than that of any other Veteran of the United States. 
The Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest award for military valor in action. Signed into law by
President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, The Medal of Honor was the nation’s first valor Medal and remains at the top of the military’s “pyramid of honor.” The Medal represents the courage, integrity, sacrifice, commitment, citizenship, and patriotism displayed by those awarded it. Since its first presentation in 1863, just over 3500 Medals have been awarded, a very small percentage of the over 40 million individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces. As of June 2024, there were only 61 living Medal of Honor Recipients from all conflicts.
While the Medal of Honor is an individual, not a unit award, as a group, the Recipients will tell you that they
wear the Medal for those who didn’t come home and in honor of all those with whom they served.
Awarding the Medal
The standards to award the Medal of Honor have evolved over time, but the Medal has always stood
for actions “above and beyond the call of duty.” The current criteria were established in 1963 during the Vietnam War.
The Medal is authorized for any military service member who “distinguishes himself conspicuously by
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
All recommendations require thorough reports on the act itself, the battlefield and its setting; at least two
sworn eyewitness statements; and any other compelling evidence that can be gathered. Recommendation packets must be approved all the way up the military command structure, ending with the United States President as the Commander-in-Chief.
By Federal Statute, recommendations for the Medal must be submitted within 3 years
of the valorous act and the Medal must be presented within 5 years. Any submissions outside of this timeline require an Act of Congress to waive the time limits.
To read the citations of any of the nation’s Recipients of the Medal of Honor,
and to access living history videos and additional reference material, see the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s website at www.cmohs.org. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
In 1921, an American soldier – his name “known but to God”– was buried on a Virginia hillside overlooking
the Potomac River and Washington, D.C. The burial site of this unknown World War I soldier in Arlington National Cemetery became known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The neoclassical, white marble sarcophagus depicts three carved Greek figures representing Peace, Victory, and Valor. Inscribed on the back of the Tomb are the words: Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.”
The Tomb sarcophagus stands above the grave of the Unknown Soldier of World War I. To the west are the
crypts for an Unknown Soldier from World War II and the Korean War. A white marble slab flush with the plaza marks each crypt.
In the following years, thousands of people flocked to Arlington National Cemetery to pay their
respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which soon came to symbolize the sacrifices of all American Servicemembers.
In 1926, Congress established a military guard to protect the Tomb during daylight hours. Since
midnight on July 2, 1937, the Army has maintained a 24-hour guard over the Tomb. Sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry, “The Old Guard,” assumed these duties on April 6, 1948, maintaining a constant vigil regardless of weather conditions. For more information, please visit the Arlington National Cemetery website at www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Monuments-and-Memorials/Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier 
School Programs to Honor Veterans Day
Because the weather can be quite cold in November in many parts of the country, an indoor assembly is far
more sensible than one that would take place outside, eliminating the need for foul weather plans.
Consider the bell schedule and school rules about visitors as you plan, and be sure to consider accessibility
to program areas if you intend to invite Veterans, some of whom may be elderly or disabled. Also take school security restrictions into consideration as you plan your event.
The scope of such a program may be large enough to permit invitations to the community, to include local
Veterans groups. If school rules allow, students can be encouraged to bring family members who are Veterans (especially parents, siblings, or grandparents) or who currently serve in the Uniformed Service.
Inviting Local Veterans Groups:
Inviting local Veterans groups makes assembly programs far more exciting and meaningful for students.
Students tend to better understand and absorb the significance of Veterans Day when they can attach a human face to it.
In addition, Veterans groups often put on very exciting shows. From stirring renditions of the National
Anthem to thrilling speeches and stories, Veterans will sometimes entertain and educate students. But they will also be pleased to attend as honored guests.
You can find Veterans groups in your area through your local Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)
and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities or regional offices. You may be surprised at how many Veterans live in your area. Schools that send out invitations often end up with former generals and admirals, Medal of Honor Recipients, and other distinguished Veterans as guest speakers. A listing of VSOs appears later in this guide. Or visit www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp for an online directory of Veterans’ groups. 
Program Guide:
Undoubtedly, your school will want to put on a program worthy of all your distinguished guests. The
following are some suggestions for a program that will make this Veterans Day memorable for both students and guests:
Introductory Remarks — Brief introductory remarks set the tone for the entire program. Consider having a student leader read the President’s Veterans Day Proclamation, which the White House issues in advance and posts on the internet. For more information, please visit www.whitehouse.gov.
Additional remarks and suitable quotations for speeches can be found on the Veterans Day website at
https://department.va.gov/veterans-day/.
Introduction of Guests — Introduce any special guests, who may include local government officials,
school alumni with distinguished military service, Veterans from the community who represent different periods of service, and faculty members who are Veterans.
Principal Speaker — Your principal speaker should be invited far enough in advance to allow adequate
preparation for your program.
Student Essay or Reading — By including various presentations by individual pupils in school programs,
student body participation may be increased. Selected essays from class or school-wide competitions may be read aloud by the authors. The reading of a well-known patriotic address by a U.S. president or war hero is also effective. There are a number of published musicals/narratives that can enhance your program. A student-performed short play or skit can be quite entertaining as well.
Moment of Silence, Taps — While Veterans Day is primarily a tribute to America’s living Veterans, it is
always appropriate to recognize and remember those who gave their lives for our country. More than a century ago, World War I ended when an armistice – a truce – took effect at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918; thus, the saying that the war ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Although 11 a.m. remains a traditional hour for remembering our fallen heroes, a moment of silence is appropriate at any point in the program. This may be followed by the playing of “Taps.” For more information on the history of Taps please visit www.tapsbugler.com.
Closing — The Master of Ceremonies announces “Retire the Colors.” Accompanied by appropriate
music, such as a John Philip Sousa march, the Colors are paraded out of the assembly area. This concludes the ceremony Student Activities: Veterans Day 2024
Plan a school assembly to be held on Veterans Day and invite local Veterans. Present them with a small
flag, flag pins, a medal, a traditional “poppy,” or other remembrance and honor them during the program. [Poppies first became a symbol of remembrance for soldiers who died during World War I, since poppy fields grew where some of the battles were fought.
AuthorAiden Kirchner is a passionate entrepreneur, skilled graphic designer, and dedicated content creator with over a decade of experience. Driven by self-improvement and a commitment to peace, Aiden is the founder of Kirchner Admin Services, where he provides diverse digital services from web design to social media marketing. As a Disabled Veteran, he brings a strong ethical foundation from his military background, incorporating the Army Values into his business approach. Aiden is a lifelong learner with certifications across various fields, including web design, customer service, and digital literacy. Outside of work, he enjoys spiritual practices, including meditation and gratitude journaling, and he shares his journey of self-love and growth with readers in an authentic, heartfelt way.
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