News
»Veteran's Day program at Martin Grade School
Posted Local at Nov 03, 2010
The Bennett County School District will celebrate Veteran’s Day Nov. 11, with a special program at the Martin Grade School Activity Center at 2:30 p.m.
The Grade School will sing a special tribute to Veterans.
There will be a powerpoint presentation of members of the students families who are presently or have been in the past military veterans.
Those wishing to share a picture may email them to Anne Lyon at anne.lyon@k12.sd.us or Marj Oleske at marj.oleske@k12.sd.us. Photos may also be brought to the school and they can be scanned.
The public is invited to attend this presentation.
Where does the term “veteran” come from?
Originally, the word veteran meant “a person of long experience” or skill. Derived from the Latin term veteranus, after the American Revolution the word veteran came to be associated specifically with former soldiers of old age who had fought for independence. As time went on, “veteran” was used to describe any former member of the armed forces or a person who had served in the military.
In the mid-19th century, this term was often shortened to the simple phrase “vets.” The term came to be used as a way to categorize and honor those who had served and sacrificed through their roles in the military.
World War I, also known as the “Great War” was officially concluded on the 11th hour of the 11th Day of November, at 11 a.m. in 1918.
On November 11 of the following year, President Woodrow Wilson declared that day as “Armistice Day” in honor of the peace. (The term armistice means “truce” or the end of wartime hostilities.) This day was marked with public celebrations and a two minute halt to business at 11 a.m.
In 1921, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated in Arlington Cemetery with a ceremony on November 11. After this dedication, Armistice Day was adopted in many states and at the federal level as a day to honor veterans. This was made official in 1938 when an act of Congress made Armistice Day a national holiday.
In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower changed the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day. For several years in the 1970s, Veterans Day was observed in October by many states but in 1978 it was returned to November 11.
Today, Veterans Day is still observed on November 11, as a national holiday to honor all veterans of the United States Armed Forces. (If November 11 falls on a weekend day, the holiday is observed the following Monday.)
Throughout the nation, Americans participate in parades, ceremonies, and observances to pay their respects to our servicemen and women, both past and present.