Colonel Candid

Veterans Day is an American national holiday celebrated on Nov. 11 that honors those who have served in the U.S. military. Originally, the holiday was known as Armistice Day, as it originated in 1919 on the first anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. The day became an official national holiday in the United States in 1938. Congress amended the act that had made Armistice Day a holiday in 1954, striking the word “Armistice” in favor of “Veterans” to honor those who served in all U.S. wars. From 1971 to 1975, Veterans Day was celebrated on the fourth Monday in October after the 1968 passage of the Uniform Holidays Bill. The date changed back to Nov. 11 in 1975 under President Gerald Ford due to the date’s historical significance. The U.S. is not the only country that commemorates its veterans. In the United Kingdom, Remembrance Sunday is celebrated on the second Sunday of November. The United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries such as Australia and New Zealand al...

If you’re a bit of a history nerd, like me, you appreciate a good museum. It’s encouraging that so many of you take time to appreciate and support efforts to preserve history. I come from a world steeped in history. Often this history is enlightening and inspiring. Join Colonel Candid and walk back in time to rejoice in where we’ve come from and to inspire you in the direction you are going. Ideally, you can complete these reflections during some of the federal holidays in the United States. To appreciate history look at the following three areas and tie them to our federal holidays. First, appreciating the men and women who’ve served, both past and present, in the Armed Forces and the sacrifices made by them and their families is captured all across America. Almost every military post, fort, camp, station or installation has a museum. Both Veteran’s Day, taken to appreciate those who’ve severed and Memorial Day, honored to remember those who’ve sacrificed the last full measur...