Veterans Day is an important day for us to observe, as it is a time to honor and remember those who have served our country through the Armed Forces.

The historyof Veterans Day in America started on the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918. The Armistice which went into place at that time signaled the end of World War I. A year later, Woodrow Wilson marked the anniversary of the Armistice by making a speech praising those who served in the Great War and helped achieve the peace which followed. The anniversary continued to be commemorated, and eventually in 1926, resolution was adopted by Congress making November 11 a legal holiday “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’”.  In 1954, a Congressional Bill changed the name to Veterans Day and made it a federal holiday.

Today, communities across the country use this holiday as a time to remember those who fought for our freedom. About 41 million individuals total have served in the U.S .Armed Forces, and there were about 16 million U.S. veterans alive in 2022 (about 6.4% of the total population). It’s important on Veterans Day to honor the Veterans who are still with us, and show our gratitude for all they have done for our country. With the holiday quickly approaching, we’ve put together a few ideas on how you can commemorate Veterans Day with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Veterans Day Lessons: 

This year, our Character Development Program is offering lessons and activities centered around Veterans Day for educators to incorporate into their classrooms. The lessons focus on patriotism, courage, and commitment, teaching students about the importance of Veterans Day.

In addition to these lessons, teachers will also have access to a new video featuring Eugene Fluckey and Richard O’Kane, two Medal of Honor Recipients who served as submariners during World War II. This video is a great option for teachers who may have a limited amount of time dedicated to discussing veterans with their students. Simply show the video and then lead a discussion about the importance of honoring those who have served.

Veterans Day Activities: 

There are many ways individuals can honor service members on Veterans Day. One way is to send a thank you card or care package to a service member via Operation Gratitude. Visit their website for more details on how you can get involved with their programs. You can also support a local veteran-owned business or volunteer with a veteran-focused non-profit organization. Another way to mark the day is by visiting a war memorial or a veteran’s cemetery in your town. Your family can bring flowers, a wreath, or a flag to leave in honor of the service members who are no longer with us.

Lastly, you can also mark the day is by brushing up on American history and learning about those who have served. We invite you to read about those who have received the highest military award for valor, the Medal of Honor Recipients, and share the stories of those Recipients with your friends and family on social media to shed light on the importance of this holiday.

Veterans Day Giving: 

You can also recognize Veterans Day by giving to organizations that focus on honoring and supporting active-duty military members, veterans, and the families of fallen service members.

Through our outreach programs, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society connects Medal of Honor Recipients with schools and organizations in the public and private sector in an effort to showcase the importance of remembering and honoring those who have served our country.

Additionally, the Society protects and preserves the Medal of Honor, its dignity, and its history. By maintaining a museum, library, archives, and research collection, the Society plays an integral role in ensuring the stories of the Medal of Honor Recipients are never forgotten.

We invite you to pay tribute to those who have served our country by making a charitable contribution to the Medal of Honor Foundation this Veterans Day. With your support, our organization will be able to continue to preserve the legacy of the Medal of Honor and its Recipients.

To stay up-to-date on upcoming events, special announcements, and partner/Recipient highlights, sign up to receive our monthly newsletter.