WHEREAS, Veterans Day is annually celebrated on November 11th the Anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, which ended the hostilities of World War I between the Allied Nations and Germany on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918; and
WHEREAS, On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated, with President Woodrow Wilson proclaiming: “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 nations”; and
WHEREAS, In 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the Armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving; and
WHEREAS, On May 13, 1938, the United States Congress enacted a law making November 11th of each year a legal holiday known as Armistice Day to be dedicated to “the cause of world peace” and to honor veterans who died in World War I; and
WHEREAS, In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks proposed and advocated for an expansion of Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. On June 1, 1954, the United States Congress changed the name of the holiday from “Armistice Day” to “Veterans Day” and expanded it to honor all veterans, living and dead, wherever and whenever they served; and
WHEREAS, Our veterans have served us bravely and well throughout the history of the United States, risking – and often sacrificing – their lives to protect our lives, our property and our freedom, and they deserve our greatest gratitude and highest respect; and
WHEREAS, The United Veterans Council of Philadelphia is an organization of the heads of veterans groups that provides leadership and advocacy, and it effectively represents all veterans in the Philadelphia area; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby celebrates, honors and thanks our veterans on Veterans Day 2015.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That Engrossed copies of this resolution be presented to the United Veterans Council of Philadelphia and the Veterans Advisory Commission symbolically on behalf of all veterans and evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
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