3500 Flags Placed in Advance of Veterans Day

November 8th, 2019 - 5:30pm
Community, Featured, From The President's Desk

In honor of Veterans Day, College of Marin students and staff placed 3500 flags at the Kentfield Campus. The flags represent the approximate number of COM students, faculty, staff, and board members who served in the military since World War II or are currently on active duty. This act celebrates and honors veterans for their patriotism and willingness to sacrifice for the common good through military service.

Last year, The U.S. Department of Defense published five facts to know about Veterans Day:

  1. Veterans Day does not have an apostrophe. An apostrophe implies possession, and the holiday is a day for honoring all veterans.
  2. Veterans Day is different than Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who gave their lives in battle or from wounds suffered in battle. Veterans Day honors all who serve or have served the country—in war or in peace—and largely intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifices.
  3. It was originally named Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I. After World War II and the Korean War, veterans and service organizations urged Congress to amend the commemoration and change Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.
  4. This new bill set Veterans Day commemorations for the fourth Monday of every October, and the first Veterans Day under the new bill took place on October 25, 1971, causing a lot of confusion. Many states were unhappy about this change and continued to recognize the day in November. After a few years, it became apparent that most preferred to celebrate Veterans Day on November 11, so on September 20, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed another law, returning the annual observance to its original date starting in 1978.
  5. Other countries celebrate Veterans Day, too. Since World War I was a multinational effort, U.S. allies also celebrate their veterans on November 11. Canada, Australia, and Great Britain call it Remembrance Day, with Canada and Australia celebrating on November 11 and Great Britain observing theirs on the Sunday closest to November 11. 

Read the complete article online at https://www.defense.gov/explore/story/article/1675470/5-facts-to-know-about-veterans-day/