Veterans Day: Honoring All Who Served

Posted by Frog Publications on 6th Nov 2025

Veterans Day is a U.S. federal holiday held annually on November 11 to honor and thank all military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It’s a day of reflection, gratitude, and unity—recognizing the men and women who dedicated part of their lives to protect and serve the nation.

History & Origins

The roots of Veterans Day go back to November 11, 1918, when the armistice ending World War I went into effect at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.”
In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first Armistice Day. Parades, public gatherings, and a pause in business at 11:00 a.m. were encouraged.
In 1926, Congress passed a resolution for annual observances, and in 1938 made November 11 a federal holiday.
After World War II and the Korean War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 renaming it Veterans Day to honor all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Although the Uniform Monday Holiday Act temporarily moved Veterans Day to October, public sentiment restored it to its historic date—November 11—in 1978.

Sources:
Department of Veterans Affairs, History.com, National WWI Museum

Key Facts & Traditions

Date: Veterans Day is always observed on November 11, regardless of the weekday.
Who it honors: All U.S. military veterans—living or deceased—who served honorably during wartime or peacetime.
Difference from Memorial Day: Memorial Day honors those who died in service; Veterans Day honors all who served.
Ceremonies:
- Annual wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
- Local parades, school assemblies, and community events across the nation.
- A nationwide moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. marking the WWI armistice.

Sources:
History.com, VA.gov

Veteran Demographics & Contributions

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately 16.2 million living veterans in the United States (as of 2024).

5.9 million served during the Vietnam War
933,000 served during the Korean War
16 million served during World War II, though only a few remain alive today
Around 10% of all U.S. veterans are women

Veterans bring leadership, discipline, and service values to civilian life—as educators, business owners, first responders, and community volunteers.

Sources:
Census.gov – Veterans Day Facts for Features, History.com

How to Honor Veterans

Here are meaningful, non-political ways to participate in Veterans Day:

Attend or organize a local ceremony such as a parade or school program.
Visit or volunteer at a local VA hospital or veteran’s organization.
Write personal thank-you notes to veterans in your community.
Observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. local time.
Support veteran-focused nonprofits through donations or service.
Invite veterans to share their stories with younger generations.
Display the American flag properly following flag etiquette.

✈️ Attend or Support an Honor Flight

One special way to show appreciation is by participating in an Honor Flight event.
The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization that flies U.S. veterans—especially those from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam—to Washington, D.C., at no cost to them, to visit the memorials dedicated to their service.

Ways to get involved:

Attend a Welcome Home event: Airports often host large, emotional homecomings when Honor Flights return. These are open to the public and filled with cheers, flags, and gratitude.
Volunteer as a Guardian: Civilians can apply to accompany veterans on their trips.
Donate or fundraise: Contributions help ensure veterans never pay for their flights.
Nominate a veteran: Families and friends can nominate eligible veterans for upcoming flights.

There are more than 120 Honor Flight hubs across the U.S., but not every state has one. In regions without a hub, special programs—such as the “Lone Eagle” program—ensure that all veterans can participate.

Learn more or find your local hub at HonorFlight.org.

Sources:
Honor Flight Network, Midwest Honor Flight, AC Bands Reprint on Honor Flights (2017)

Veterans Day Classroom Activity Ideas

For Elementary Students (Grades K–5)

1. “Thank You, Veterans” Art or Card Project

Have students create handmade thank-you cards or posters to send to local veterans’ organizations, nursing homes, or VA hospitals.
Encourage them to use symbols like flags, poppies, eagles, or hearts — and to write in their own words why they’re thankful.
Option: deliver them in person or mail them as part of a class outreach.

Teaches: gratitude, empathy, community service.

2. “Wall of Honor” Classroom Display

Create a bulletin board titled “Our Heroes” or “Wall of Honor.”
Invite students to bring photos (or draw portraits) of family members who served in the military.
Include index cards with the veteran’s name, branch, and relation to the student.

Teaches: respect for personal connections to service.

3. Read-Aloud and Discussion

Read age-appropriate books that introduce themes of service, courage, and thankfulness.
A few great choices:

Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood by Valerie Pfundstein
Hero Dad and Hero Mom by Melinda Hardin
America’s White Table by Margot Theis Raven (great for upper elementary)

Follow-up: Have students share one thing they learned about veterans or one way they can say thank you.

4. Moment of Silence at 11:00 a.m.

Explain the history of “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.”
Hold a brief, quiet moment of reflection, encouraging students to think of peace and gratitude.

Teaches: history and mindfulness.

✈️ 5. Virtual “Honor Flight Experience”

Show a short video (from the Honor Flight Network or a local hub’s website) of veterans visiting Washington, D.C. memorials.
Then discuss:

What do you think the veterans felt?
Why do people cheer for them at the airport?

Extension: Make “Welcome Home” banners or flags for an upcoming Honor Flight return.

6. Music and Poetry for Veterans

Learn patriotic songs such as This Land Is Your Land or America the Beautiful.
Older students can write simple acrostic poems using the word VETERAN (e.g., Valiant, Enduring, Thankful, etc.).

Teaches: creative expression and respect.

7. Guest Speaker Visit (or Video Call)

Invite a local veteran or parent in service to speak to the class.
Encourage respectful listening and simple questions like:

“What was your job in the military?”
“What made you proud to serve?”
“How can we show appreciation to people in the military?”

If no local veterans are available, the VA’s Veterans Legacy Memorial has short digital stories you can share.

8. “Veterans Day Pledge” Writing

Have students write a class pledge that begins with:

“We promise to honor our veterans by…”
They can brainstorm ideas like showing kindness, helping others, or learning history.
Display the pledge in the hallway or at a school assembly.

9. Coloring and Symbol Exploration (Younger Grades)

Provide coloring pages of flags, the Liberty Bell, or service branch emblems.
Explain what each symbolizes — freedom, strength, peace, unity — in simple language.

10. “Acts of Service” Classroom Challenge

Brainstorm ways the class can “serve” others in their school or community (e.g., collecting food for families in need, cleaning the playground, writing thank-you notes to staff).
Emphasize that service doesn’t always mean fighting — it means helping others.