Leavenworth County
Veterans Day Parade
Leavenworth Kansas
VETERANS DAY - NOVEMBER 12, 2012
Downtown Historic Leavenworth 10:30am
2012 Theme:
'Honoring Past, Present
& Future Veterans'
There are more than 25 million military veterans in the United States.
Veterans Day is the American name for the international day of remembrance called Armistice Day. It falls on 11 November, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended the World War One. It is a federal holiday and a state holiday in all 50 states. The same day is observed elsewhere as Remembrance Day or Armistice Day.
All major hostilities of World War 1 were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. Armistice Day was first commemorated in the United States by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, and many states made it a legal holiday. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 inviting all Americans to observe the day, and made it a legal holiday nationwide in 1938. The holiday has been observed annually on November 11 since that date - first as Armistice Day, later as Veterans Day - except for a brief period when it was celebrated on the fourth Monday of October.
Although it is a federal and state holiday, it is formally observed in most parts of the United States only by government offices and banks. Most schools and almost all businesses stay open on regular schedules. As a result, most public transit systems are on regular schedules as well even though they are usually run by the local government. Most businesses cite the holiday's proximity to Thanksgiving (when many businesses close for a four-day weekend) as the main reason for staying open on Veterans Day; but most schools and businesses also stay open on Columbus Day, a full month earlier.
Armistice Day to Veterans Day
President Eisenhower signs HR7786, officially changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
Click the image for more information
On November 11, 1953, the citizens of Emporia, Kansas staged a Veterans Day observance in lieu of an Armistice Day remembrance. Representative Ed Rees of Emporia, Kansas subsequently introduced legislation into the House of Representatives to officially change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day [1]. Following a letter-writing campaign to secure the support of all state governors in the observance of this new holiday, the name of the holiday was changed to Veterans Day (enacted 1 June 1954), to honor those who served in all American wars. The day has since evolved as a time for honoring living veterans who have served in the military during wartime or peacetime, partially to complement Memorial Day, which primarily honors the dead. There has been some discussion of whether a person's veteran status depends upon his/her retirement or discharge from any of the armed forces. However, the term applies to any that have honorably served their country or that have served in a war zone as directed by their superior officers or as directed by lawful orders given by their country.
Veterans Day in other countries
Many nations within the Commonwealth of Nations observe Remembrance Day on the same date, but it is actually closer in spirit to Memorial Day. New Zealand and Australia also observe Anzac Day on 25 April. Other Allies of World War I have similar observances on November 11. Veterans Day was introduced in the United Kingdom commencing 27 June 2006, to celebrate the contribution of all those who have served in the UK's armed forces.
Participation
Anyone wanting to participate in the Leavenworth County Veterans Day Parade, contact Diane Smith. Or fill out the form on the Application page
No commercial advertising allowed on vehicles in parade.
Resources
Calendar
Copyright 2011-2012 Leavenworth County Parade Committee
