As we observe the holiday on November 11 and any related events, remember
the original intent--to honor the cease fire that occurred on the 11th
hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In 2008, VFP passed a resolution
(below) that reminds us: "the substitution of the word "Armistice" to
"Veterans" changes the focus from peace to war by celebrating and honoring
warriors and war."
Also see the article below from 11/10/2008.
Armistice Day/Veterans Day (Approved at the 2008 VFP national convention )
Whereas bells worldwide were rung on November 11, 1918 to celebrate and
recognize the ending of WWI, "The war to end all wars" and
Whereas to commemorate that peaceful pledge, bells were rung November 11
for over 35 years, and
Whereas, legislation making November 11 a holiday passed in 1938, " Shall
be a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter
celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." and
Whereas the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service
organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word
"Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the
approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November
11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars, and
Whereas the substitution of the word "Armistice" to "Veterans" changes the
focus from peace to war by celebrating and honoring warriors and war, and
Whereas that November date symbolized the nation's desire to hold to a
peaceful future and away from war, and
Whereas, too often rhetoric and patriotic symbols are used instead of
genuine compensation for the extraordinary sacrifices and services of
military personnel, and
Whereas 90% of victims of wars are now civilians and by honoring only
veterans, the public is distracted from the awful price paid by those
other than military members, and
Whereas Chapter #27 has for over 17 years promoted the ringing of a bell
eleven times at its ceremonies on November 11 and at other solemn
occasions such as funerals to remind the public of that Armistice Day
peace pledge, and
Whereas the ringing of bells is so much more fitting and peaceful than the
often practiced gun salutes and fighter plane flyovers.
Therefore Be It Resolved that Veterans For Peace, Inc. urges its
memberships to adopt the procedure of honoring peace by focusing on bell
ringing on Armistice Day, November 11 and other solemn occasions.
Veteran's Day: Keeping Faith With The Original Intent of Armistice Day
to remember the original intent of Veterans Day.
The original Armistice Day ended World War I on November 11, 1918, but not
before nearly 30 million soldiers had been killed or wounded, and over
seven million taken prisoner.
Congress responded to a universal hope that this would never happen again
and passed a resolution calling for "...exercises designed to perpetuate
peace through good will and mutual understanding...inviting the people of
the United States to observe the day in schools and churches...with
appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."
Congress later resolved November 11 was to be "...a day dedicated to the
cause of world peace."
Of the many veterans' organizations in the
to carry out the original purpose of Armistice Day, now celebrated as
Veterans' Day. In word as well as action, Veterans For Peace, a national
organization with 120 chapters, is dedicated to the cause of peace.
"Unfortunately Veterans Day has turned into a day to support war rather
than a day to reflect on the horrors of war and the need to work for
peace," said Veterans For peace Executive Director Michael McPhearson.
"Veterans For Peace has over 120 chapters around the country, many of whom
will be commemorating veterans day by marching in traditional parades,
conducting solemn ceremonies and vigils to give an alternative view about
war and the meaning of the day," McPhearson went on to say.
"Our statement of purpose is clear and direct when it says we intend to
'abolish war as an instrument of national policy.' We want this
generation of veterans to be the last," said VFP president Elliott Adams.
The former Army paratrooper and
out for peace, our organization works towards it every single day. We will
continue to do so and in fact increase our efforts as VFP seeks to raise
awareness of the human and monetary cost of war in the face of the global
Please visit www.veteransforpeace.org to learn more about VFP Veterans Day
Veterans For Peace was founded in 1985 and includes veterans of all eras
and wars from the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), World War II, the Korean,
hot. It has participated in every major demonstration against the war in
to stop and that those hurt are often the innocent. VFP is represented at
the UN as an official Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).