One year after the end of “the war to end all wars,” President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with these words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919. Actual combat had ended seven months earlier when an armistice between the Allied and Central Powers went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Following World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, we began celebrating Veteran’s Day on November 11 in 1978. Today, the commemoration honors U.S. veterans of all conflicts.
The spirit of service epitomized by military personnel and families continues at Saint Francis Ministries, which includes among our employees veterans from every military service.
Saint Francis invites you to make time this Veteran’s Day to remember those who gave their lives in service to country. May they inspire us to serve our neighbors and community with the same dedication and duty.
