Veterans Day is tomorrow. This is an important day in our nation’s history. This is a time to honor the service of all military veterans whether they served in peace or war. Even peacetime can be dangerous because sometimes our enemies have forgotten that we aren’t supposed to be shooting each other and simply training and operating large equipment carry risk. This is especially true when that equipment is designed to cause harm by its very nature.
Veterans Day originally was Armistice Day, the anniversary of the armistice that ended the fighting during World War I. The treaty that officially ended the war was not signed until June 28, 1919. Congress officially recognized Armistice Day on June 4, 1926, but did not make Nov. 11 a legal holiday until May 13, 1938. Armistice Day became Veterans Day on June 4, 1954, when Congress amended the 1938 Act in order to commemorate the service of all veterans and not just World War I veterans.
The World War I connection is special to me because my Great Uncle Jesse Cummings was killed in the trenches of France on Oct. 25, 1918. He was an infantryman and fighting during the Meuse- Argonne Offensive so critical to ultimate Allied victory.
Over 100,000 American servicemen died while serving overseas, some in combat and others from disease and non-battle injuries. Over 4 million Americans served in uniform with over a million actually deploying to France.
The war exacted a heavy toll on other nations as well. Great Britain had over a million dead and 2 million wounded. France saw over a million soldiers killed with 3 million wounded. The German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian Empires collapsed. Communists took control of Russia. The upheaval in Europe seemed to lay the groundwork for another world war a few years later. The war also propelled the United States into world affairs on a grand scale as we took our place among the powerful.
My family and I had the chance during one tour in Germany to visit Great Uncle Jesse’s grave. That was moving for all of us. Thanks to one of my aunts we actually have a photograph of him in uniform. Seeing his simple grave among the many dead in the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery in France was moving to say the least. Jesse is well cared for by the American Battle Monuments Commission. If you travel to Europe, take the time to visit one of the American cemeteries. They are quiet tributes to the valor and sacrifice of America’s soldiers.
Other than the confusion Congress caused by moving Memorial Day to a Monday with the Uniform Holiday Bill in 1968, this is one holiday that remains true to its original date. Congress and President Ford ensured that with a law in 1975. So now Nov. 11, regardless of the day of the week, is Veterans Day. All of us need to remember and thank all veterans, regardless of service and time period served, on that day.
John M. House is a retired Army colonel who lives in Midland, Ga.
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