Today is Veterans Day — not Veteran’s Day or Veterans’ Day, just veterans — no apostrophe. It is often written inappropriately, just like Daylight Saving Time — it’s not savings, it’s just saving. In this case using the apostrophe implies that the day “belongs” to just one veteran or multiple veterans. But it’s a day for honoring all veterans — so no apostrophe.
Veterans Day honors all of those who have served the country in war or peace — dead or alive, although it’s largely intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifices. Memorial Day is a time to remember those who gave their lives for our country, particularly in battle.
The World War I armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. That was in 1918. A year later, President Woodrow Wilson announced that November 11th would be called Armistice Day in the United States.
In 1938 Armistice Day became a national federal holiday — dedicated to world peace and held in honor of the veterans of World War I.
The name was changed by Congress, in 1954 to Veterans Day to honor the veterans of all wars including World War II and the Korean War.
Normally, the Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year at Arlington National Cemetery where the President gives a speech and veterans are honored — don’t know what will happen this year. But even if the year is 2020, it’s still Veterans Day and they should be honored as much as CoVID-19 permits.
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