Veterans Day

By Shelby Rule

   This year Veterans Day is Saturday, November, 11th. Veterans Day is a federal holiday to honor veteran soldiers of the United States. The holiday's original name was Armistice Day, but was changed to Veterans Day on November 11, 1954. Armistice Day was to honor the veterans who fought in the ¨Great War¨, WW1. Veterans Day honors veterans who fought in all American wars, not just WW1. Other countries besides America celebrate Veterans Day as well. Canada and Australia call it ¨Remembrance Day¨ on November 11, and Britain also calls it ¨Remembrance Day¨ but celebrate it on the Sunday closest to November 11. Canada holds a ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa and has celebrations in cities. Australia holds 1 minute of silence on the 11th hour on November 11. Great Britain observes 2 minutes of silence throughout the country and ceremonial gatherings(Britannica.com) at 11 a.m. In America, we celebrate the holiday with a National Ceremony on the actual day. Most communities have parades on the weekend before or after if Veterans Day falls on a weekday. Veterans deserve to be celebrated, honored, and thanked because they chose to willingly serve and sacrifice themselves for their country and freedom. We have several veterans who are currently teaching here at PHS. Please make sure to thank them for their service.