Holidays: Veterans Day – Honoring and Remember Our Heroes

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Learning about holidays is an important part of homeschooling. We can spend as much or as little time on learning about the history and celebrating cultural, historical, Biblical, national, and state holidays. In the past, we have spent time using My Father's World to study Thanksgiving, completed Christmas-themed activities with Homeschool Complete, and learned about Memorial Day through readings and lap-book activities. Veterans Day is another essential holiday to learn about in our homeschool. 

History of Veterans Day 

We honor the Veterans of our Nation on November 11 every year. The date originates from the armistice between the Allied Nations and Germany during World War I. Hostilities ceased on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. So even though the official treaty to end World War I was not signed until June 28, 1919, November 11, 1918, is considered the date that brought the end to the war to end all wars.

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that November 11 would be Armistice Day, when Americans would honor those who had fallen and share their gratitude for those who helped achieve the victory. In the early years, November 11 was only a day to honor those who had served in World War I, but with time, it would change to honor American veterans in all wars. In fact, President Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation on October 8, 1954: 

"On that day, let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain." Proclamation 3071—Veteran's Day, 1954

Over the years, the holiday has been moved to the Monday nearest to November 11 to allow for an extended three-day weekend, but it eventually was moved back to being observed on November 11. Although state and federal offices still close on the Monday or Friday when the holiday falls on the weekend. 

Activities for Your Homeschool  

There are many ways in which you can celebrate and honor Veterans Day. From lessons, poems, and readings to community service and visiting historic sites, there are many options depending on the age of your children. There are even more options if you or a member of your family are a Veteran. For example, the National Park Service offers special admission for Veterans with their Military Pass. And for everyone else, you can visit parks free on several holidays, including Veterans Day. 

Many towns and other locations hold ceremonies with wreath laying at monuments, speeches, and parades. There is a Veterans Day National Ceremony held every year at Arlington National Cemetery that starts with the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Fleet Reserve Association in Annapolis, Maryland, will hold a special ceremony in 2023 with CDR La'Shanda R. Hawkins, the U.S. Coast Guard's first African-American woman helicopter pilot. The Killeen Veterans Day Parade, held in Killeen, Texas, is recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a regional site to celebrate Veterans Day.  Look in your local newspaper, town website, or Veterans News to see what events will be held in your area. 

Other ideas for your homeschool: 

• Read "In Flanders Fields" and make poppies. 
• Observe a moment of silence on November 11th at 11 a.m. 
• Send a thank you card, letter, or care package to a veteran. 
• Talk to a veteran about their experiences. 
• Research the history of Veterans Day or a past war. 
• Pray for peace. 
• Visit a local veterans memorial. 

How will you celebrate Veterans Day this year?