New Lenox Veterans Day celebration is Nov. 11
NEW LENOX -- Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9545 and the American Legion Post 1977 of New Lenox invite the community to attend the Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial at the New Lenox Commons on veterans parkway.
The observance of Veterans Day dates back to 1921 when an American soldier, his name unknown, was buried on a Virginia hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington. The burial site of this unknown soldier from World War I in Arlington Cemetery represented dignity and respect for America's veterans.
The memorial observances recognize the ending of World War I at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, 1918, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. That day became known as Armistice Day and was officially recognized in America in 1926 through a congressional resolution. Twelve years later, in 1938, it became a national holiday by similar Congressional action.
But shortly after the holiday was proclaimed, World War II broke out in Europe and shattered the dream of world peace. More than 16,500,000 Americans took part in this conflict, and 406,000 died. The families and friends of those lost in World War II wanted a way to honor their memory as the nation had done in 1926.
Weeks headed a small delegation to Washington to present the proposal to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was then serving as chief of staff of the U.S. Army. With a favorable reception from the general, Veterans Day was adopted and the first Birmingham celebration was held Nov. 11, 1947.
For a period of seven years, the Birmingham Committee, with members of government and veterans organizations across the nation worked to officially change the name of Armistice Day. Legislation was proposed by Congressman Edwin K. Rees, of Kansas, and in 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day.
