In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” that ended the “war to end all wars,” calling it Armistice Day. President Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day in 1954, and after celebrating the day on the fourth Monday in October (to give folks a three day weekend), Michigan's own President Ford returned Veterans Day to its original, historically significant date of November 11. Veterans Day includes an "s" at the end of "veterans" but has no apostrophe because it is not a day that "belongs" to veterans; it is a day for honoring all veterans of all wars. There are around 19 million living U.S veterans as of April 2021.
I am one, having served in the U.S. Army from 1982 until 1987. I am grateful for the soldiers I was fortunate to know and serve with while in ROTC and the U.S. Army. Every November 11, I touch base with service members in my life to acknowledge them and this day. I still feel solidarity with anyone who has served and honor them. I thank you for your service.
Here are just a few of the ways to honor and celebrate our veterans in Michigan:
Find more resources at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
I would also like to recognize some ICLE contributors who are veterans and whose law practices assist other veterans—consider referring clients to Morgan Maul, Takura Nyamfukudza, Carson Tucker, Col. Jon Wojcik, and Ponce Clay.