Veterans Day is an annual holiday celebrated on November 11 that honors US military veterans, dead or alive, for their loyal service to their country. Former US President Woodrow Wilson inaugurated the day in 1919. _(1)_ It was officially renamed Veterans Day in 1954, after World War II veteran Raymond Weeks pushed Congress to change the day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. _(2)_ Because of this, a moment of silence isobserved at 11:00 AM on November 11 each year. Veterans Day is sometimesconfused with Memorial Day. _(3)_ While Veterans Day is a US holiday, it is celebrated in other parts of the world as a national holiday but referred to as Remembrance Day. In Commonwealthcountries, a poppy is worn on the lapel to symbolize the blood shed in the war. _(4)_ This means that on this particular holiday people don't have to go to work or school. Veterans Day is commemorated with parades, vigils, church services, and flags are usually hung at half mast. One of the nice things that some fast foodestablishments do throughout America is to offer free food to veterans on this day. _(5)_ It is a time for Americans to come together to show their love and devotionto their country.
(A) In America, where a wreath is traditionally laid at Arlington National Cemetery, it is considered a federal holiday. (B) At that time, it was called Armistice Day, as it coincided with the signing of atreaty that called for a ceasefire and brought World War I to an end. (C) After WWII started, Veterans Day stopped being celebrated for the duration of the war. (D) The hostilities of WWI formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. (E) They are two different holidays with Memorial Day held in May and people pay their respects to fallen soldiers then. (F) Most importantly, Veterans Day symbolizes patriotism and peace.
|
留言列表