Our brave, honorable, patriotic, dedicated, and altruistic men and women in the US military believe in something greater than themselves. Wiling to sacrifice and serve others, they provide us all with a safe country to
Our brave, honorable, patriotic, dedicated, and altruistic men and women in the US military believe in something greater than themselves. Wiling to sacrifice and serve others, they provide us all with a safe country to live in. Therefore, we take one day a year to recognize their valor.
A Brief History of Veterans Day
Originating as “Armistice Day” on the first anniversary of the end of World War I, November 11th, 1919, this makes this year’s celebration the 100th year we’ve recognized our troops. Even though World War 1 officially ended June 28th 1919, the fighting had ended seven months prior when the allies and Germany put an armistice into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
For this reason, November 11th was largely considered the end of “the war to end all wars”. But then World War II and the Korean War happened, and on June 1st 1954 Congress amended the name change from “armistice” to “veterans” so the day would honor all American veterans who have served in all our wars.
The Fight To Keep Veterans Day on November 11th.
Congress, yet again got involved, and signed the Uniform Holiday Bill of 1968, ensuring that a few federal holidays (including Veterans Day) would be celebrated on a Monday. Hoping this would spur travel, stimulate the economy, and encourage other family activities, it was eventually nullified and reversed in 1975 after Gerald Ford returned it back to the set date of November 11th.
In fact, it became apparent that most US citizens wanted to celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th since it held historic and patriotic significance. Eventually, Congress officially reversed it, signing it into law in 1978, and henceforth we have honored our veterans on this special day in November.
Our Visit to The Siouxland Freedom Park
So, to remember the veterans in our lives, my husband and I visited the Freedom Park in South Sioux City, Nebraska on Veterans Day weekend. I knew there was a Vietnam Wall in South Sioux, but I had never been there.
I have been to the real Vietnam Wall in Washington DC, but the Siouxland Freedom Park in South Sioux is an exact half-scale copy of the original.
There are 70 plaques, made of the same black granite the original Vietnam Wall is made of, and out of the same quarry in Bangalore, India!
Of the 58,272 names engraved, 99 of them are from Siouxland. In fact, nearly 34,000 of all the names on the wall never saw their 19th birthday
The West wing of the Washington DC’s Vietnam Wall is pointed directly at the Washington Monument. The West wing of our Wall is pointed directly at the Floyd Monument.
Finally, the bronze star in the pavement, seen here, indicates where memorabilia was buried in 2007.
Paying Our Respects
This was a wonderful day, beautiful weather, and we enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere while sitting on a park bench. We had the whole park to ourselves, which gave us time to take our time, reading names, and paying respect to our brave veterans.
Plan Your Visit
The visitors center is still under construction, with no expected date of completion, we will definitely return once it is finished.
We hope you make your visit to the Siouxland Freedom Park, keep up to date with local events on their facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Siouxland-Freedom-Park-120378177984207/), and support our community with your purchase of a Freedom Park t-shirt.