Veteran’s Day is celebrated to honor the patriotism, sacrifice, and service of America’s Veterans. It’s a day of remembrance, reflection, and celebration. Ceremonies include placing floral tributes on the graves of service members and at memorials, as well as naturalization ceremonies. People gather to honor and remember the sacrifices of veterans in the United States Armed Forces. Communities nationwide host parades, ceremonies, speeches, wreath-laying events, concerts, and military displays. Schools may also hold programs with veterans as guest speakers. Many national parks have connections to the military and can be a place to honor veterans. A simple “thank you” or personalized note or card can also be a thoughtful way of showing appreciation.

Veterans Day originated in 1919 as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first Armistice Day. In 1938, Congress passed a law making Armistice Day a federal holiday. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill changing the name to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans. In  1968, the Uniform Holiday Act moved Veterans Day to honor all Americans on the fourth Monday in October; in 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law moving Veterans Day back to November 11th. The law took effect in 1978.

If November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, federal government employees and some organizations observe the holiday on the previous Friday or Monday, respectively.

This year’s theme for Veteran’s Day is a Day of Loyalty and Service. Check out the winning poster below. You can find other posters from previous years by clicking here. Here is a link to all of the Veteran’s Day events nationwide.

Myisha’s design was driven by a desire to represent all who have served. “As a Veteran, I’ve sometimes felt underrepresented, prompting me to consider how best to incorporate inclusivity and the essence of loyalty and service,” she said. “Ultimately, I chose to symbolize the shared experience of service members—past, present, and future—with elements like the American Flag, military “dog tags,” and the enduring strength of Veterans, embodied by a solid, dark concrete background in my design.”

The Talon would like to send a big thank you to all of our veterans – we appreciate you!

If you are a veteran, click here for a list of all the discounts available today.