VETERANS DAY 2018

Veterans Day will take place on Sunday the 11th of November 2018 and it will be followed by a designated Federal Holiday on Monday 12th November. This year marks an extremely significant milestone as it is precisely 100 years since the ceasefire culminating in the end of the First World War.

What is the Significance of Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is observed on an annual basis, with events happening on the 11th November nationwide every year. This day was originally named Armistice Day marking the moment of the ceasefire of the First World War which took place on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month.

Armistice Day became a national holiday in 1938. But it wasn’t until 1954, after the conclusion of the Second World War, that Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day in order to recognize veterans involved in all U.S. wars.

This year is one of the most significant Veterans Days in living memory because it is the Centennial Commemoration of the end of the World War I which occurred on the 11th November 1918.

The theme for this years’ promotional material is “The War to End All Wars” and features the red poppy which has become synonymous as a worldwide symbol of remembrance.

The poppies are significant because of the poem “In Flanders Fields” written by Canadian Army Physician John Mcrae, in which he observed the poppies breaking the “row upon row” of graves marked on the battlefields of Belgium. In fact, poppies can still be seen growing in those fields to this day.

How Will Veterans Day be Observed?

There will be many events taking place across the country to mark the occasion. The National Veterans Day Ceremony will be taking place at the Arlington National Cemetery, which is in Arlington, Virginia.

The ceremony will commence at precisely 11am (to coincide with the 1918 ceasefire). It begins with a laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. This will be followed by a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations and speeches from dignitaries inside of the Memorial Amphitheatre.

There will be a range of local events close to you. Make sure to check your local news outlets and Veteran Organizations to get up to date information on parades and remembrance services close to you.

Although the 11th of November falls on a Sunday this year there are likely to be ceremonies and events taking place the next day on Monday 12th November too, as it is a Federal Holiday.


What Benefits Are Nationally Available to Veterans?

Right across Veterans Day weekend there will be a whole host of rewards, discounts and freebies available for veterans, active-duty military personnel and military dependents alike. These deals tend to start in late October and will continue right through the Federal Holiday on Monday 12th November.

These discounts include items such as hotel discounts, free car washes, free meals, discounted haircuts and many more concessions and reductions across a whole range of products and services. To see some of the deals available nationwide head to the official veterans website here - https://militarybenefits.info/miscellaneous-discounts-veterans-day-deals-veterans/.