Mike Causey

11-11-11-1

Do the numbers 11-11-11-1 mean anything to you? That\'s Armistice Day, which is now Veterans Day. And how come it\'s not celebrated on a Monday like most other ...

Federal News Network Staff

November 11, 2008 4:00 am

2 min read

For each generation there is a special date burned into memory. It can be December 7, 1941 (the attack on Pearl Harbor). Or it may be the day the Big One ended. It could be November 22, 1963 (the Kennedy assassination), or the date of the murder of Martin Luther King Jr.. More recently it could be, 9-11-01. If you have to think about it, odds are you were a very young child at the time.

11-11-11-1 is different. That was when the armistice, ending the World War 1, went into effect: The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Armistice Day was later renamed Veterans Day and changed to one of those Monday holidays, but it was eventually changed back to November 11, even though it is still known as Veterans Day. Many Americans, maybe most, probably don’t know when World War 1 took place, who took part in it. Maybe even who “won.”

Veterans Day, like Columbus Day, is one of those so-called federal holidays that many private sector firms (maybe most) don’t observe. You can take the day off, as vacation. Or you must work because it’s an important sales day.

Most feds are off today. But since 9-11, many more government workers are on duty this day – and other holidays. Many are doing their regular work in air traffic control centers, VA and PHS hospitals, post offices, in law enforcement or burning the midnight oil at the CIA, DIA, NSA, etc.. If you guys aren’t the best, all the time, we are all in trouble.

So if you are off today, congratulations. Go out there and help green the economy. And if you are working today (like folk in some hapless news organizations who shall remain nameless), thanks for being there from the entire crew at WFED.

Nearly Useless Factoid (Veterans Day Edition)

From saluting veterans to when veterans can salute: there’s a new law covering saluting during the national anthem. Veterans and active-duty military who aren’t in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem. The new law, says the VA, “improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem.” Salute!

To reach me: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com