11/11/11: Numbers matter

published November 10, 2011

in the Stockton Sentinel

Stockton, Kansas

            Friday is one of those interesting calendar days that remind us of the unique era in which we live, because this particular date won’t happen again for 100 years. Friday’s date, written as 11/11/11, is the eleventh installment in a series spanning twelve years, and December 12, 2012, will be the final unique date in this series which began the first year into this century. Just being alive to witness the turn of the century was awesome. But then to have twelve years of weird dates, beginning with 01/01/01, has been a silly little gift to those of us who are easily amused.

            I know for some people, this number thing has no meaning, and 11/11/11 will be just another day. But I happen to be a person who pays attention to numbers and appreciates an attachment to a special meaning, and I know I’m not alone in this little numbers club. I know of people who have planned their wedding date to coincide with one of these memorable dates, just to make it more fun – and easier – to remember. To many of us, numbers matter.

            Friday’s date of 11/11/11, however, already had a special meaning, even before it fell in the year 2011. And it is that earlier meaning that bears the most significance, for it was in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when an armistice, or a cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany, went into effect. Seven months later, on June 28, 1919, the signing of the Treaty of Versailles brought an official end to World War I, a four-year conflict that had left 10 million persons dead, 21 million wounded, and 7.7 million missing or imprisoned.

            In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson designated November 11 as “Armistice Day,” to be set aside as a day of remembrance in honor of war veterans and victims.

            Then in 1953, Alvin J. King, a shoe cobbler in Emporia, Kansas, whose stepson was killed in World War II, had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate and honor all veterans, not just those who served in WWI. King began a campaign to turn Armistice Day into “All” Veterans Day. His campaign caught the attention of congressman Ed Rees, who introduced legislation to rename the day. On October 8, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law. Since then, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans – living or dead – but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime. Similarly, Britain, Australia and Canada have established November 11 as their “Remembrance Day.”

            As is many times the case, our self-serving government leaders thought it would be best to place the commemoration of certain holidays on Mondays, ensuring three-day weekends for Federal employees so as to encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities. Thus, the Uniform Holiday Bill was signed in 1968, designating specific Mondays as national holidays for Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. But the first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance. In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11. Numbers matter.

            Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. November 11, or 11/11, not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day:  A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

            On the first Armistice Day, World War I was considered “the war to end all wars.” Sadly, we know the rest of the story, and we know that statement was far too idealistic for humankind. On this Veterans Day, we all should make an effort to thank a veteran for his or her service to our country. On this special date of 11/11/11, let them know that their actions and sacrifices matter.