From Armistice Day to Veterans Day.(From the Publisher)

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month....

It was "Armistice Day" in 1918 and celebrated the armistice (truce) that ended the fighting between the allies and Germany in World War I.

While arms were laid down in 1918, the war did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles outside Paris on June 28, 1919.

However, not until 1926 was it a recognized holiday and not until 1938 did it become a national holiday.

Then, on June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans, not just those of the first world war. As a national holiday, many government offices and business institutions close in honor of America's veterans. At Alaska Business Monthly, veterans get the day off with pay.

The People Win

When Congress tried to change observance of the date in 1968 to the fourth Monday in October, thereby creating a three-day weekend, objections rose up from coast to coast and border to border. Congress was forced to change recognition back to the original date. This year Veterans Day is on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Americans honor their veterans, both living and fallen, in several ways. Veterans Day remembers all veterans of all wars. Armed Forces Day pays tribute to those who are presently on active duty in the service of their country, and Memorial Day honors those who have made the ultimate and extreme contribution, giving up their lives doing so in military action.

Women at War

This year and in this issue, Alaska Business Monthly calls to attention the service of women in the armed forces. All have served with honor, many brilliantly. Women accounted for 5 percent of all World War II vets, 3 percent of Vietnam-era vets and 2 percent of Korean War vets. Sixteen percent of Persian Gulf War and Iraq War veterans are women. The number of women veterans in the U.S. is more than 2.2 million. Total of all U.S. veterans, both men and women, is about 25 million at this time.

We will be showing the colors on Veterans Day this year. Perhaps readers will buy a flag and hang it out too. It's the patriotic thing to do.

--Vern C. McCorkle

Publisher

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