Veterans Day is a special and heartfelt day for Americans. Every Nov. 11, we pay our respects and express our appreciation to our nation’s veterans. We do this because we know our treasured freedom exists because of their service and sacrifice. Veterans Day is a time to celebrate, a time to reflect, and a time to express our appreciation and gratitude.
Veterans Day History
The first celebration using the term Veterans Day occurred in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1947. Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized “National Veterans Day,” which included a parade and other festivities, to honor all veterans.
The event was held on Nov. 11, then designated Armistice Day. Later, U.S. Rep. Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day.
Thank You to All Veterans for Your Service
From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of the entire Rushmore family: We appreciate all of our veterans for your service, courage, selflessness and sacrifice. We love you, we appreciate you, and we are forever grateful for the freedom that exists only because of you. We can never, ever thank you enough.