Veterans' Day
Veteran's Day, previously known as Armistice Day, is November 11 and recognized on the Monday closest to November 11. Its original intention was to celebrate the end of World War I. In 1938, Armistice Day was made a Federal Holiday to mark the end of the war. In 1956, the name was changed to Veteran's Day to recognize the service of military members and their families. It has recently been reclaimed by anti-war activists to recognize its original name and intention—the ending of all wars.
Resources
Work to make your congregation more welcoming (PDF) to military members and their families.
A collection of poetry about war and soldiers to be used for worship services or letters to government.
Honoring our Unitarian Universalist Veterans by F. Vernon Chandler
Action
Celebrate the end of WWI by calling for the end of all wars. Write to your congress members to make sure all soldiers in harms way are returned home. Also you can call for a reduction of funds to the Department of Defense.
Unitarian Universalist Association Grounding
As people who work for peace and justice, we welcome any armistice as a cause to celebrate. However, we must never forget the men and women who have given it their all—sometimes giving everything—to work for what they think is true and right.
By celebrating Veteran's Day and Armistice Day, we work to make sure fewer people have to leave their homes, families and friends to fight in war.
Last updated on Thursday, June 19, 2008.
