Veterans Day is a day to celebrate all veterans who have served the U.S. in war or in peace and is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service. Our country’s recognition of Veterans Day dates back to President Wilson. He proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day – when World War I fighting between the Allied nations and Germany ceased temporarily. Congress made November 11 a legal holiday in 1926 and it was known as Armistice Day until 1954, when President Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day.
The Bellevue School District is proud of the veterans who serve as educators and in other roles throughout the district. Read some of their stories in the Honoring Veterans, Recognizing Service piece originally posted last year.
Schools across the district are recognizing Veterans Day and honoring veterans with virtual assemblies, poems and sharing stories about veterans in their lives. At Spiritridge Elementary, students heard from veteran Hollie Koenisberg and from current military personnel at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Koenisberg related the district’s value of service with the Army’s value of selfless service and gave examples of how students can display service in the classroom or at home. Personnel at Lewis-McChord highlighted each branch of the military and shared what service in the military meant to them.
Virtual Events
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has compiled a list of virtual events marking Veterans Day in 2020. More information is available from Veterans Affairs.
National Native American Veterans Memorial Dedication
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian on Veterans Day to view a virtual program and mark the completion of the National Native American Veterans Memorial. The program will include tributes to Native veterans and a virtual tour of the memorial. More information from the National Museum of the American Indian.
Virtual Tours
Navy Memorial: https://www.360cities.net/image/navy-memorial#0.00,0.00,70.0
National Mall: https://www.youvisit.com/tour/64156/80707 (National World War II Memorial)