The following is a letter I wrote to the local school district about their non-Veterans Day Veterans Day.  After some back and forth, the end result was no change (which I never expected anyway) and them basically telling me they are one of two districts that does anything for Veterans Day and I should be thankful just for that.  Nice, eh?

Dear Mr. Superintendent and Council Members,

I am a parent with a child (and another starting in January) in Adams County School District 12.  I was a bit surprised to look at the district calendar for this school year and learn that Veterans’ Day had been moved to November 8th.  That was indeed news to me! 

It was my understanding that the Federal statute that created Veterans’ Day dictated the holiday was November 11th.  A quick check shows that on June 4, 1926, November 11th was officially recognized as Armistice Day, marking the cessation of hostilities in World War I.  Further, an Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November a legal holiday, still known then as Armistice Day.  In 1954, Public Law 380 was signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower officially making November 11th Veterans’ Day – ensuring veterans of all wars and service were recognized. 

In 1968, a new bill was passed to give the nation four national holidays that would fall on Monday’s (President’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Veterans’ Day).  The result of that moved Veterans’ Day to the fourth Monday in October (starting in 1971) – thus removing a great deal of the significance of the holiday.  Indeed, many of the union’s states objected to the change and refused to celebrate Veterans’ Day on the new date.  Further, veterans’ organizations including the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars and the American Legion launched a campaign to return the holiday to the proper date. 

As a result, to commemorate a day that is a matter of historic and patriotic significance, on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans’ Day to November 11th (effective in 1978).  This action supported the express will of the overwhelming majority of the State legislatures, all major service organizations and the American people.

Celebrating Veterans’ Day on November 11th not only preserves the historical significance of the date but also helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans’ Day:  a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  Something which children especially need to be taught. 

Over the years there have been movements within the Federal legislature, state legislatures and municipalities to move Veterans’ Day to a set Monday annually.  This action has continually been strongly opposed by veterans and veterans’ organizations like the American Legion and the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars (of which I am a member).  This holiday is to honor veterans – period.  It is not to afford people the opportunity to have a three day weekend.  Keeping Veterans’ Day on November 11th ensures veterans receive their proper recognition. 

It is greatly appreciated that Adams 12 has traditionally honored this holiday when most school districts do not.  I believe in the past the district has also adhered to the true date of the holiday (at least I know it has the last two years).  This year however Adams District 12 has removed the significance of the holiday and that is a disservice to veterans and perhaps most importantly, it sends the wrong message to the students. 

If the district wants to celebrate Veterans’ Day, it needs to do so on November 11th – the day the law designates and the day that those whom it honors prefer and have fought to keep.  How else are students to learn the significance of the sacrifices veterans have made and participate in the many events that occur on Veterans’ Day to celebrate the holiday? 

If the district is simply looking for an excuse for a three day weekend, do not use Veterans’ Day to justify this.  It is an insult to me and an insult to all veterans who have served this great nation.

I look forward to your response. 

Sincerely,