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Supervisor Thomas recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair’s signature on the Proclamation to recognize Veterans Day and to honor our Veterans. The Proclamation will be presented by Supervisor Thomas during the Annual Veterans Day ceremony at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. The public is invited and encouraged to attend; and
2) Acknowledge “Operation Green Light for Veterans” supporting green lights at our Veterans Monument from November 6-12, 2023.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
November 11 became an official national holiday in the United States in 1938. In 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor those who had served in all U.S. wars. Ceremonies are held each year at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and floral tributes are placed on the graves of service men and women and at memorials throughout the country.
Initially called Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I, it was officially adopted in 1926 through a congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar congressional action. Now, if WWI had been "the war to end all wars" as it was called, Nov. 11 might be still called Armistice Day. However, World War II would prove otherwise. Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WWII and Korea, Congress decided to make the day an occasion to honor all those who have served America. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day. Since then, Veterans Day would come to acknowledge veterans of all wars, and then all who once served in the U.S. military.
While Veterans Day provides the occasion to publicly commemorate the contributions of all veterans, it is also an opportunity to show particular appreciation toward living veterans in our own community. Beyond the free meals, discounts, tributes, and platitudes given to veterans on this day, it is helpful to truly show them yo...
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