“We Honor All Who Served on Veterans Day” — MRFF Board Member and retired U.S. Army Brigadier General John Compere on the history and observance of Veterans Day

“VETERANS DAY” is our annual national holiday on November 11th honoring military veterans. This recognition of our military veterans pays tribute to those patriotic men and women, living or deceased, who served our country honorably in the United States Armed Forces during war or peace for any length of service and are no longer serving. It also includes Reservists or National Guard members who have been called to active duty or have been disabled during duty or training. 

There are 18 million veterans living in the United States with 1.5 million in Texas (Pew Research). There are more veterans in Texas than any other state.

The genesis for Veterans Day was the World War I armistice declared at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Originally commemorated as Armistice Day in 1919 by congressional resolution and presidential proclamation, it became Veterans Day in 1954 by federal law enacted by Congress and signed by President Dwight Eisenhower.

Veterans Day is a legal federal holiday and official flag display day pursuant to 5 United States Code 6103. All federal government offices are closed. State, county and city governments are requested to fly the American flag. Flag handling requirements are found at 4 United States Code 1. The correct spelling is the attributive “Veterans Day” with no apostrophe (i.e. Veterans’ Day and Veteran’s Day are incorrect). 

Parades, ceremonies, celebrations and events honoring our veterans are held throughout the country. A ceremonial wreath laying by our President is held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery (also on Memorial Day). 

The 2025 Veterans Day theme is “Service to Our Nation” with the official theme poster titled “Unified by Service” visually uniting all uniformed services under one purpose and honoring all veterans. The theme symbolizes unity, honor and a lasting commitment to freedom. It underscores that service to the nation is a collective effort, transcending specific uniforms, battlefields or generations. The military tradition of answering the call to duty and serving to protect our democratic way of life and the Constitution of the United States of America is a distinct honor. Americans are encouraged to consider the history of loyalty and service to our Nation by Veterans and the honor owed them for fulfilling those patriotic duties.

“Veterans Day” should not be confused with “Memorial Day” on the last Monday in May memorializing military members who gave their lives in the service of our country or “Armed Forces Day” on the 3rd Saturday in May honoring men and women currently serving in the military. Veterans Day is for those who hung up their uniform, Memorial Day is for those who never made it out of their uniform and Armed Forces Day is for those still serving in their uniform. We recognize three distinct military service categories with three different national observances.

The sworn oath of military service is to support, defend and bear true faith and allegiance to “the Constitution of the United States”. Military veterans know it is the affirmation that we are one nation under the Constitution and it is the Constitution in which we must trust. Fidelity to our secular Constitution was an essential element of their faithful service as it continues to be for all military men and women serving today. 

Veterans Day is a special time for honoring those men and women who have rendered honorable military service to the United States of America. Their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good are the reasons Americans continue to have the independence, freedom and democracy we cherish and enjoy today.

John Compere
Brigadier General, US Army (Retired)
Disabled American Veteran (Vietnam Era) 
Board Member, Military Religious Freedom Foundation
Texas rancher