The month of November conjures up images of Thanksgiving and all the wonderful things about it ñ great food, time with family and Christmas shopping. OK, so the shopping part may not fall under the definition of the warm glow of a holiday.But there is one more very important holiday in November, and thatís Veterans Day, celebrated Nov. 11.Veterans Day started as Armistice Day and was meant to be a holiday to commemorate the end of World War I, or ìThe Great Warî or the ìwar to end all wars.î Although the Treaty of Versailles was signed June 28, 1919, an armistice between the Allies and Germany had taken place seven months prior, beginning at the eleventh hour on Nov. 11. President Wilson was quick to proclaim Nov. 11 as Armistice Day:”To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the countryís service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations Ö .”In 1938, an Act of Congress made Nov. 11 a legal holiday.Then came World War II and the Korean War. In 1954, the word ìArmisticeî was replaced with ìVeterans,î recognizing the day as one to honor veterans of all wars. And there have been plenty.For seven years, the holiday wasnít necessarily celebrated on Nov. 11. Starting in 1971, Veteranís Day was celebrated Oct. 25 because of the Uniform Holiday Bill that ensured the four national holidays ñ Washingtonís Birthday, Memorial Day, Veteranís Day and Columbus Day ñ were celebrated on a Monday, giving federal employees three-day weekends. President Gerald R. Ford quickly changed the law so Veteranís Day could be celebrated as it was intended ñ on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year ñ again starting in 1978.This year, we will celebrate on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 2011. Maybe there will be some special karma or significance in 11-11-11.This month, besides being thankful for our families, friends and our wonderful community; we can be thankful for the men and women who have fought for us over the years and those who continue to fight for our freedom. They have made many sacrifices for us; without them, we may not be able to enjoy our great food and family time on Thanksgiving Day.Have a wonderful Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and kickoff to the December holiday season! Weíll see you in December.– Deb, Michelle and the NFH Team
