Celebrating Our Veterans
Annually on November 11th
The True Meaning of Veterans Day
Every year, on November 11th, the United States celebrates Veterans Day. In 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice was announced, marking a temporary halt in hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany during World War I, which was then referred to as “the Great War“.
The following year, November 11th was observed as Armistice Day in many countries. In 1938, it was established as a federal holiday in the United States.
2019 Hawaii Island Veterans Day Parade
From Armistice Day to Veterans Day and Remembrance Day
During World War II, the US saw the largest mobilization of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force in history. Over 16 million individuals served, while approximately 5.7 million more served during the Korean War. (See more detailed statistics here)
U.S. military fatalities in major wars from 1775 to 2024
Source: Statista – Last update on Jul 4, 2024
In 1954, following efforts by veterans’ service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress revised the 1938 legislation, changing the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the amendment into law on June 1, 1954. Since then, November 11 has been dedicated to honoring American veterans from all conflicts.
President Eisenhower signs law changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Great Britain, France, Australia, and Canada also honor World War I and II veterans around November 11th. Canada observes Remembrance Day on this date, while Britain holds Remembrance Sunday on the second Sunday of November. In Europe, including Great Britain and Commonwealth countries, it is customary to observe a two-minute silence at 11 a.m. on November 11 each year.
Great Britain, France, Australia, and Canada honor veterans on Remembrance Day. (L to R)
Veterans Day Activities
How Can You Participate?
Veterans Day should not be confused with Memorial Day, a distinction often noted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day, observed on the fourth Monday in May, honors American service members who died while serving their country or as a result of battle-related injuries. In contrast, Veterans Day recognizes all American veterans – both living and deceased – while particularly expressing gratitude to those who are alive and have served honorably during both wartime and peacetime.
U.S. Army Soldiers in 2015 Veterans Day Parade on 5th Ave, Manhattan.
Veterans Day Flag Raising Ceremony – 2021, University of Missouri-St. Louis.
President Biden, Vice President Harris, VA Secretary McDonough, and Maj. Gen. Pepin at Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony – 2023, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery. (L to R)
Visitors observe a moment of silence during a Veterans Day ceremony at Beaufort National Cemetery.
Here in Hawaii, visitors can honor our veterans by visiting Pearl Harbor on Veterans Day. As the site of the Japanese attack that launched the US entry into WWII, it is especially important to visit the solemn memorials and exhibits dedicated to veterans and those who perished in service to their country. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit.
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
A Top-Visited Exhibit
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, managed by the National Park Service. As one of the top three most visited exhibits in Hawai’i, Pearl Harbor draws an average of around 4,000 visitors each day. Situated just outside the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, the Remembrance Circle is a poignant memorial that commemorates those who lost their lives on the morning of December 7, 1941. The circular monument features a list of the names of the deceased. At its center, a map of Oahu highlights the locations targeted by the aerial attacks of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
We strongly recommend booking an official tour if you plan to visit Pearl Harbor on Veterans Day. This is the only sure way to experience everything you want to see, including the USS Arizona Memorial. Without a tour, you’ll need to compete for one of the 1,300 tickets distributed each day, which requires arriving early but still doesn’t guarantee availability.
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Pearl Harbor Memorial And Battleship Missouri Tour
Visit Battleship Missouri and USS Arizona, as they represent both... More
- 7 Hrs. Small Group Tour From Various Oahu Resorts & Hotels
- Visit Pearl Harbor Battleships & Memorials
- Most Popular Pearl Harbor tour
- Includes All Admission Charges
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Battleship Missouri and Pearl Harbor Tour From Maui, Kaua'i, or Big Island
Fly to Pearl Harbor for the day from Maui, Kaua'i, or the Big... More
- 10 Hrs. Small Group Battleships Tour With Inter-Island Flights
- Pearl Harbor, Missouri, Arizona & Historic Sites
- Include round-trip airline tickets
- Honolulu Airport curbside pick up
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The Complete Experience
A full-day tour that includes: the USS Arizona Memorial, USS... More
- 9 Hrs. Historic Sightseeing Tour From Waikiki
- Go Into All The Museums At Pearl Harbor
- Enter USS Bowfin & Aviation Museum
- Visit Arizona Memorial & Missouri
What Veterans Want You to Know
It’s Simple, Really
The late Chief Warrant Officer James S. Hanson, aviation safety officer, said, “I wish people understood what Veterans Day means. It’s not a memorial; go to the graveyard day … it’s not a beer-drinking party day. It’s a day to commemorate why the veterans did what they did and do what they do“, he said.
As the daughter of a veteran and the wife of a veteran, I have observed that a simple “thank you for your service” means a great deal.
My father served a total of 38 years in the US Navy, enlisting at age 17. After his initial tour, he used the GI Bill to attend college and enjoyed teaching history at the college level for a few years. However, during the era of McCarthyism propaganda in the 1950s, some people viewed colleges as hotbeds of *communist indoctrination*, and, in an attempt to root out intellectuals with *communist leanings*, university professors were being required to sign a “loyalty oath.” Ironically, a large percentage of university personnel were veterans. My father was offended that he was being asked to prove his loyalty to his country by signing a piece of paper, so he decided to re-enlist in the Navy. After all, he had already taken a loyalty oath when he initially enlisted.
Dad was a veteran of WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam. If you were to ask my father what Veterans Day meant to him, he would likely have told you that it was his honor to serve and he didn’t need the special recognition. Jokingly, he used to say that he loved the Navy because it offered “travel, adventure, good chow, and free movies”. As flippant as that sounds, it does tie into how he viewed his time in the service. It was a job that suited him while offering him a chance to live a meaningful life.
What We Can Do For Veterans
Compassion and Respect
The term “veteran” encompasses a wide range of experiences, even within the same unit. Each service member’s journey is unique – some experiences are marked by pain, others by triumph, and often both. Making assumptions about a service member’s experiences can be counterproductive, so it is essential to approach conversations with sensitivity and care.
People often imagine a generic soldier engaged in grand battles for freedom, but each soldier is unique, with diverse experiences and daily sacrifices. Many vital military roles, though less visible, play crucial parts in the success of our armed forces. It is important to recognize and value these often-overlooked positions alongside the high-profile missions.
While Veterans Day is an opportunity to express our gratitude, be mindful that many veterans may be reflecting on challenging moments from their service. As in any sensitive interaction, it’s essential to “read the room” before initiating conversations.
For some, Veterans Day may be just another federal holiday. However, for many, it’s a day of reflection and gratitude.
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