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I find it sad that during this time of war most Americans are not more aware of the significance of Veterans Day. Being the son of a Vietnam Veteran I have grown up with a small glimpse of how war can affect someone in the smallest ways years later in life. From the subtile comments made when a firecracker goes off, to the slight tear that may drop after seeing a soldier in uniform at the store. I know its something I will most likely never understand.

For many today is just another Monday. Many will fall into their normal morning routine of guzzling coffee on the way to work, while tapping away at their blackberry. Only after a fit of frustration as they realize the post office is closed will they remember that this in no normal day.

I fear for my generation of twenty somethings, as we graduate from college and begin our term to lead this nation. We have no Edward R. Morrow to paint the airways with the pictures of bombs dropping on London. We have sensationalized and categorized our journalism into a right and left, which the common man no longer trusts or listens to. Few of us feel this day or the truly comprehend its significance.

For all of us who have never been to war, we can never know, we can never understand, and we must acknowledge we have a naivety that no media or history book can ever fill. We must continue to humbly give thanks and continue to strive to understand what we most likely never will. Thank You.

For more on Veterans Day head to Wikipedia

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
3071

Whereas it has long been our customs to commemorate November 11, the anniversary of the ending of World War I, by paying tribute to the heroes of that tragic struggle and by rededicating ourselves to the cause of peace; and Whereas in the intervening years, the United States has been involved in two other great military conflicts, which have added millions of veterans living and dead to the honor rolls of this Nation; and

Whereas the Congress passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926 (44 Stat. 1982), calling for the observance of November 11 with appropriate ceremonies, and later provided in an act approved May 13, 1938 (52 Stat. 351) , that the eleventh of November should be a legal holiday and should be known as Armistice Day; and

Whereas, in order to expand the significance of that commemoration and in order that a grateful Nation might pay appropriate homage to the veterans of all its wars who have contributed so much to the preservation of this Nation, the Congress, by an act approved June 1, 1954 (68 Stat. 168), changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day:

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America , do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 , as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.

I also direct the appropriate officials of the Government to arrange for the display of the flag of the United States on all public buildings on Veterans Day.

In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose.

Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this eighth day of October in the Year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and seventy-ninth.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER