Veterans Day

The other day I substituted in a local high school and some of the younger teachers were discussing the date of Veterans Day. They bemoaned the fact that it breaks up the schedule of the week and makes it seem to both teachers and students like there are two Mondays that week. I might have joined in with them if I hadn't just read the history of the day for a gift we were preparing for the Veterans who attend our church. Indeed for a time our country did change the day to Monday for convenience sake . The history of the day is that on November 11th at 11:00 a.m. the first World War ended. After bitter fighting the war to end all wars was over and people in many European nations along with the United States had celebrations on November 11 at 11 o’clock for years following. It became apparent that other wars would come and there would be a need to appreciate all veterans from all wars, but the date meant something to the people. It was a day that victory over evil was achieved, a day when the horror of war ended, and the country looked toward brighter days ahead. Perhaps as vets and people from that generation pass away the date will be regulated to a Monday like the rest, but I think it will loose the value of history. Perhaps our schools and churches would do well to remember the date.