Veterans day started as Armistice day on November 11, 1919 with a pause of buisness at 11:00 AM. This was proclaimed by President Wilson to celebrate the end of World War 1 with the cease fire on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
In 1926 Congress officially declared November 11th Armistice day and a national holiday to commemorate the end of World War 1 as well as celebrate the Veterans who fought in the war to bring peace.
In 1938 the day was changed to Veterans day to celebrate and honor the Veterans of every war that had taken place since World War 1.
Veterans day in a Skilled nursing facility
Veterans day is always celebrated in a skilled nursing facility. Sadly there are less and less Veterans to celebrate. Many of the older generations of Veterans are no longer with us. There is a generational gap between the elderly Veterans and the younger Veterans.
As sad as it is to see and celebrate less and less Veterans in the nursing home each year, it is also a blessing that there was a significant period of time of no wars. With times of peace there are less members of the military leading to less Veterans.
So how can I celebrate Veterans day
If you know of anyone who is a veteran, reach out to them and say thank you. Make a connection, especially if you have not heard from them in a while. You never know how much some might just need that connection again.
At work make sure you know who the Veterans of the facility are and go out of your way to thank them. It gets easily forgotten what they had to endure as time marches on.
Don’t just think it only has to do with the day. Spend the whole week thanking a veteran. Or better yet all throughout the year thank a veteran for their service.
So Thank you for your service
To all the Veterans that i have had as patients, to all those that were co-workers that were Veterans, to all thise who are friends and acquaintances who are Veterans, I want to say thank you for your service. Regardless of the branch of military and regardless of if you had combat duty or peace times, Thank you. You and your families have made sacrifices to keep us free and allow us to live in a country where even if we don’t all agree on some ideas, we have the ability to disagree. Happy Veterans day, and Thank you.
