November 11,2025 marks the first year that I have not participated in a Veterans Day program in the United States. This year I am in Europe where I observed Armistice Day, or the Day of Remembrance as November 11 is also known here. It’s been a new experience, but a good one.
The usual solemnity and reverence for those who served was an important part of the day. Local towns and villages, no matter how small offered memorial presentations, and honorary red, white, and blue floral bouquets in remembrance of those who served in war. Banks, businesses, and schools were closed for the day. There was quite a lot of local fanfare, mostly quiet and solemn.
The sun was warm. A cool breeze rustled the remaining yellow leaves on the magnificent sycamore, oak, and chestnut trees releasing many to fall gently to the ground.
At 11 AM resounding church bells pronounced the time and the date: 11:00 o’clock on 11/11. Gatherings of citizens formed at the various monuments for the presentations and generally short, but reverent speeches.
Every French town or village no matter how small, or remote has a memorial to fallen soldiers. Usually, it’s a tall stone structure or an imposing column listing the names of those who have died.
Typically, there are separate lists for fallen soldiers in World Wars I and II. Interestingly, the lists of World War I soldier casualties are two to three times longer than the lists of soldiers who did not survive in World War II. Both World Wars were devastating but European casualties in the first world war were especially high. The names of those who died are inscribed in stone or etched on metallic plaques.
“To Our Dead” is inscribed at the head of each memorial column. The casualties are identified by first and last names. First names such as Francois, Jean, Michele, Maurice, Theirre, or Laurant inspire me to imagine these young men as little boys with round faces, tousled hair, and youthful limbs good for kicking soccer balls or climbing trees.
November 11 is the day on which the Armistice agreement was signed in 1918 ending the First World War. I spent much of the day reflecting on the differences between Armistice Day and Veterans’ Day November 11, 1918 was joyous day that inspired memorable celebrations world-wide. Now that the “Great War” was officially ended and a truce declared, who wouldn’t want to celebrate? November 11, 2018 was a monumental day that would long be remembered.
Although the United States entered the Great War relatively late, the war took a brutal toll on America too. Calculating exact numbers of human casualties is a difficult science as is managing the final analysis of loss and gains that result from war.
Please remember that the Great War was also referred to as “the war to end all wars”. World War II hadn’t happened yet, so no one thought of the war as World War I for several more years. The Great War was a world event. And in fact, war of any kind is a universal experience.
It is interesting to observe the variations in national commemorations of the Armistice. Following the Second World War, many countries changed the name of the holiday. The United States opted for Veterans Day. Thus, after 1945, Armistice Day became ‘Veterans Day’ in the United States, while other countries prefer “Armistice Day’ or ‘Day of Remembrance’.
For Americans, Veterans’ Day seems like the most appropriate nomenclature.
Nations are like families. Each has its own collective memory and its own perception of its history. It is interesting to observe the American observance of Veterans Day.
Although America was heavily involved in WWI, the war was generally regarded as necessary. American soldiers went home where they were honored and celebrated. Other wars since have been met with more social resistance. Perhaps these tensions have resulted in a possible sense of shame and guilt for participation in wars.
The bottom line is that America is home to many Veterans. Veterans Day is the best possible nomenclature for November 11 in the United States. Our American traditions of honoring Veterans on November 11 in school assemblies, public halls, and other community presentations is uplifting. I miss the tradition of school children shaking hands with Veterans and listening to the songs they have prepared in honor of heroic men and women who have served.
Still, America also has memorials to those who didn’t return. Veterans’ is not complete without the “missing man” table display that has become a standing tradition. The table is set for one and symbolizes the absence and loneliness of an individual serviceperson who did not return.
Armistice Day or Veterans’ Day it doesn’t really matter. Both evoke similar emotional responses that oddly contradict one another and yet they belong together. It’s impossible to walk away from either Armistice or Veterans’ Day without feeling deeply saddened and happily grateful at the same time.
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