Veterans Day is one of those holidays that a lot of people don't get, both literally and figuratively, and there are lots of people working today because their ...
Veterans Day is one of those holidays, Columbus Day being another, that a lot of American workers don’t get. Literally and figuratively. They don’t get it. And that’s a loss both for them and for the veterans it honors. Why don’t they get it? Let us count the ways:
Veterans Day started out as Armistice Day, commemorating the time — the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — when World War I, the war to end all wars, ended. If you are a little fuzzy about what all the fuss was about, try to get hold of Barbara Tuchman’s book, the Guns of August. President John F. Kennedy once said that every world leader should be required to read it at least once a year. You really can’t understand World War II until you read about how WWI, the war to end all wars, started. And finished.
After a while, Congress changed the name and moved Armistice Day to Veterans Day. As one of those Monday holidays that retailers (and people who get them) love. Finally, somebody figured out that this was one of those holidays (like July 4th) that really ought to be observed (to the extent it is) on the day in question.
So here we are.
If you are working, thanks. And welcome to the club. If you are off, get some rest, spend some money, and be nice to your family.
“Tiger Rag” by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band was the top song of 1918.
Source: TSORT
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Mike Causey is senior correspondent for Federal News Network and writes his daily Federal Report column on federal employees’ pay, benefits and retirement.
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