On June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in France, officially ending World War I, known as “The Great War”. Seven months earlier, on November 11, 1918, an armistice (“a temporary cessation of hostilities”) had gone into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The magnitude of the conflict between the Allied nations and Germany caused the war to be considered “the war to end all wars.” If only that were so.
In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that November 11th would henceforth be known as Armistice Day:
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
It was known by that name to commemorate the service of those who fought in World War I. On June 1,1954, following America’s involvement in World War II and in Korea, the name was changed to Veterans Day, to honor those who serve in all wars.
This Veterans Day we urge you to lay down arms regarding the rightness or wrongness of war, and consider those who have chosen to put themselves in harm’s way out of a belief in the best of what our country can be. Let’s honor them, and join them in that belief, with all of us working together to make that vision a reality.
For more information on the history of Veterans Day, you can learn more in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
We also urge you to visit the Veterans Museum in Boothe Memorial Park at 5952 Main Street. It’s a fascinating collection of memorabilia, displays, historical facts, and most of all, stories of Stratford residents who have served in war or peace times.
A major goal of the museum is to provide Stratford’s schoolchildren with an appreciation of their town’s history, from the Revolution to the present, and the people who sacrificed to make it all possible.
If you are a veteran, or family member of a veteran who lives or has lived in Stratford, you are invited to share your story of service with the Museum. They also welcome items related to a time in service, as loans or as donations.
For more information and virtual tours at the Veterans Museum, please visit their website. You can also visit the museum and call to set up an appointment.
Veterans Museums’ regular hours are:
Wednesday: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Please call for an appointment for other times at (203) 583-4484.
