Every year on November 11th, Americans celebrate Veterans Day to honor the millions of men and women who have served or are currently serving in the nation’s Armed Forces. Here is a brief history about this holiday:
Veterans Days was originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the truce signed between the Allies and Germany in World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. The first Armistice Day in the United States was celebrated on November 11th, 1919. All business was suspended for two minutes starting at 11:00AM and parades and public gatherings were held to honor the occasion. Later, the U.S. began honoring unknown soldiers on Armistice Day, a tradition that continues today. At 11:00AM on every Veterans Day, a color guard ceremony represents all branches of the military at the Tomb of the Unknows at Arlington National Cemetery.
In 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day following a national campaign to have the day recognize all veterans, not just those who served in WWI. In 1968, Congress moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October so that government employees could enjoy a long weekend. In 1975, President Gerald Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11th due to its historical significance. Both Memorial Day and Veterans Day honor those who have served in the military, but Memorial Day honors those who perished while serving in their country’s armed forces. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are currently 21 million veterans living in the United States. More than 16 million of these served during times of war and 5.5 million served during peacetime only.
At Buchheit, we proudly honor our Military with an everyday Military Discount Program. For Veterans Day, we are happy to extend an expanded One Day Special Military Discount offer of 10% OFF the regular price on all in stock items. We will never fully comprehend the extent of the sacrifice that were made by serving our country. By offering this additional discount it is our hope that you’ll know how much we appreciate the sacrifice and service to this great country that we are privileged to call “the land of the free”.
You can also find Combat Wounded Warrior designated parking spaces at each store location. This project is to demonstrate our respect and gratitude to those who have served in the armed forces. Recipients of the Purple Heart medal will be able to park in this space designated by the “combat wounded” sign and the purple parking space. These signs are provided by Wounded Warriors Family Support, an independent nonprofit organization, whose mission is to provide support to the families of the combat wounded warriors.
Buchheit is also proud to support Wreaths Across America. This was founded by Maine business, Morrill Worcester to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington Nation Cemetery. The organization’s mission “remember, honor, teach” is carried out each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies each December at Arlington, as well as hundreds of veterans’ cemeteries across the nation. Now a 501(c)(e) non-for-profit and national organization, they lay wreaths in over 900 cemeteries throughout the United States. In 2015, Buchheit Logistics donated a transport of wreaths to honor our fallen veterans and in 2016, Buchheit Logistics donated the transportation of two loads of wreaths. On National Wreaths Across America Day, the Buchheit family and team members laid wreaths on the tombstones of veterans in Missouri and Illinois.
This Veterans Day, don’t forget to say thank you to some of the millions of men and women who have served our country!
