This cache is dedicated to
Veterans and those who currently serve in the
military.
Armistice Day (also known as Remembrance Day) is on November 11
and commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World
War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of
hostilities on the Western Front, which took effect at eleven
o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day
of the eleventh month" of 1918. While this official date to mark
the end of the war reflects the cease fire on the Western Front,
hostilities continued in other regions, especially across the
former Russian Empire and in parts of the old Ottoman Empire.
The U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice
Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day
will be filled with lots of 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."
The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven
years later on June 4, 1926, requesting that the President (Calvin
Coolidge) issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with
appropriate ceremonies. An Act approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th
of November in each year a legal holiday; "a day to be dedicated to
the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known
as 'Armistice Day'."
In 1953, an Emporia, Kansas shoe store owner named Alfred King
had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not
just those who served in World War I. King had been actively
involved with the American War Dads during World War II. He began a
campaign to turn Armistice Day into "All" Veterans Day. The Emporia
Chamber of Commerce took up the cause after determining that 90% of
Emporia merchants as well as the Board of Education supported
closing their doors on November 11 to honor veterans. With the help
of then-U.S. Rep. Ed Rees, also from Emporia, a bill for the
holiday was pushed through Congress. President Dwight Eisenhower
signed it into law on May 26, 1954.
Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954, replacing "Armistice"
with Veterans, and it has been known as Veterans Day since.
Although originally scheduled for celebration on November 11 of
every year, starting in 1971 in accordance with the Uniform Monday
Holiday Act, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of
October. In 1978 it was moved back to its original celebration on
November 11. Since this change, there has been a trend against
being closed on the holiday. It began with businesses (excluding
banks) and in recent years some schools and local governments have
also chosen to remain open.
Take a moment to reflect on the sacrifice paid by those who
served or are serving in the military to ensure our continued
freedom. This cache is hidden in Dexter Park and it is a publicly
accessible area with the usual park amenities. There is room to
park just south of the cache with a short walk over level terrain.
You will not have to leave the grass to log this find and you are
looking for a magnetic keyholder. Respect the area, CITO if needed,
use stealth if warranted, and rehide the cache as you find it so
the next person can have the same challenge. Thank you and good
luck.
Congratulations
"da438" : First to Find - November 11, 2010
