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Veterans

History

Veteran's Day Observations & Memorials

Flag and Soldiers

How Armistice Day Became Veterans Day

The first public celebration of Armistice Day came in November, 1920. Much like how we celebrate Veterans Day today, the occasion was marked by speeches, parades, and exchange of drinks and stories between veterans of the war. The exception came when that 11th hour rolled around. For a moment, there was a pause in all activities across the country.

Veterans Day is currently celebrated nationally on November 11, as it has been for decades. States, local municipalities, and other governments have declared their own Veterans Days, some dating as far back as the end of World War II, recognizing the courage and sacrifices of every U.S. citizen who answered the country's call to arms.

National POW Museum Sculpture

National Prisoner of War Museum

The National Prisoner of War Museum tells the story of prisoners of war throughout American History.  Former prisoners of war partnered with Andersonville National Historic Site to create and develop the National Prisoner of War Museum, the only museum solely dedicated to interpreting the American prisoner of war experience. 

Anderson National Cemetery

Andersonville National Historic Site

The Camp Sumter military prison at Andersonville was one of the largest Confederate military prisons during the Civil War. During the 14 months the prison existed, more than 45,000 Union soldiers were confined here. Of these, almost 13,000 died here. Today, Andersonville National Historic Site is a memorial to all American prisoners of war throughout the nation's history.

Honolulu Memorial

American Battle Monuments Comission

These cemeteries and memorials, most of which commemorate the service and sacrifice of Americans who served in World War I and World War II, are among the most beautiful and meticulously maintained shrines in the world. Visit ABMC Burial and Memorialization Statistics to learn about the number of men and women we honor around the world.

Vietnam Vets Wall Memorial

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Honoring the men and women who served in the controversial Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial chronologically lists the names of 58,318 Americans who gave their lives in service to their country.

Vietnam Women's Memorial

During the Vietnam War, women served in many different roles. Many women served as nurses and physicians while others acted as air traffic controllers, communication specialists, and intelligence officers. The Vietnam Women’s Memorial was established to honor the women and includes names of the over 58,000 women who died in Vietnam. 

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Tomb of the Unknow Soldier

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery's most iconic memorial, stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. Inscribed on the back of the Tomb are the words:  Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God. Tomb sarcopha  of the Unknown Soldier from World War II and the Korean War are found nearby.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Vietnam Memorial

Vietnam Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

For almost fourteen years, the Vietnam Unknown laid in rest at the Tomb. Identified in 1988, the remains were identified and returned to the soldier's  family. The crypt designated for the Vietnam Unknown remained vacant until September 17, 1999 — National POW/MIA Recognition Day — when it was rededicated to honor all missing U.S. service members from the Vietnam War. 

National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge

This monument was erected to commemorate the arrival of General George Washington and the Continental Army into Valley Forge.

American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial

American Veterans Disabled for Life

Dedicated on October 5, 2014, the Memorial shines a light on the important lessons of courage, sacrifice, tenacity, loyalty and honor by bearing witness to the experiences of war heroes who were disabled as a result of military service. 

Peace Monumnet

Peace Monument

The white marble Peace Monument was erected in 1877-1878 to commemorate the naval deaths at sea during the Civil War.