Veterans Day was first established in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson. At this time, it was called Armistice Day and was created to remember “the heroism of those who died in the country’s service.” It marked the signing of the armistice between World War I Allies and Germany at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918. The Treaty of Versailles, the formal peace agreement, was signed in 1919.
Congress passed a resolution on June 4, 1928, calling for the observance of November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. An act approved May 13, 1938, stated that the eleventh of November should be a legal holiday and should be known as Armistice Day. President Dwight D. Eisenhower wanted to expand the significance of that commemoration to pay homage to the veterans of all the nation’s wars. Thus Congress, by an act approved June 1, 1954 (68 Stat. 168), changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day.
Here are two events locally to commemorate and celebrate our veterans on Nov. 11.
On Veterans Day the City of Brooksville will hold its 2nd Annual Veterans Day Event. The city council encourages community members to join in this observance and proudly joins the rest of our nation to salute and give special honor and recognition to the men and women who have served and continue to serve us in our armed forces. The Brooksville City Council would like to invite the public to join them in recognizing and showing respect to the many veterans during this event. It will take place on Nov. 11, 2021, 10:00 AM, at the Jerome Brown Community Center located in Tom Varn Park, 99 Jerome Brown Place, Brooksville. For more information on the Veterans Day event contact the City of Brooksville Parks & Recreation Department at (352) 540-3830.
On Nov. 11, join Bayfront Health as they raise the American Flag in honor of Veterans Day. Light refreshments will be served as well. The ceremonial flag raising will be done at both Hernando County locations: Bayfront Health Spring Hill, 10461 Quality Dr, Spring Hill, FL 34609, and Bayfront Health Brooksville, 17240 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601.
Then on Nov. 20, Marine Corps League #708 is hosting a Veterans and First Responders Appreciation Day Toys For Tots Drive. The event will run from 9am – 2pm with food trucks on site. Come out and show your support to all veterans, the Sheriff’s Office, First Responders – K9 Partners, fire department, veterans administrations, Pasco-Hernando State College, and many other veterans organizations.
