Celebrating Veteran's Day in 2020

The History of Veteran’s Day

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World War I — known at the time as “The Great War” — officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday — a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Remembering Iowa’s Veterans + Fallen Heroes

As you celebrate Veterans Day this year, please take some time to remember Iowa’s veterans and our fallen who sacrificed for all of us. Through all of the challenges of 2020, our service members are still performing their duties. The Iowa National Guard has already mobilized over 1,000 Soldiers and Airmen to support international operations this year. Additionally, nearly 200 service members continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the state. The 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), US Army Reserves - Fort Des Moines, recently came home from a nine-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.

Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen from Iowa are serving around the country and the world. Let’s remember that this holiday is not only to remember and thank our veterans but also an opportunity to support them and their families. I encourage you to explore ways you can assist military and veteran focused organizations. And to remember our fallen, I would direct you to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs website: Iowa’s Fallen Heroes "Honoring Those Who Have Served."

If you know of a veteran in crisis or who needs assistance, please contact the Veterans Crisis Line, visit veteranscrisisline.net or Text 838255.

To apply for veteran benefits: va.gov

The Greater Des Moines Partnership wishes to thank all our veterans for their courage, sacrifice, and selfless service. Thank you to your families for all they have done to support you and their sacrifices as well. You can find out more about veterans in Greater Des Moines (DSM) here.

Veteran Facts

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• 18.2 million living veterans served during at least one war as of 2018.
• 9% of veterans are women.
• 7 million veterans served during the Vietnam War.
• 3 million veterans have served in support of the War on Terrorism.
• Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, about 496,777 were still alive as of 2018.

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