UTRGV departments honor fallen soldiers
Brigitte Ortiz/The Rider
Brigitte Ortiz | THE RIDER
For the National Roll Call, the Student Union and Student Activities collaborated to commemorate the fallen soldiers of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom in a remembrance video at noon Wednesday.
Mabel Cortina-Matos, Student Union event manager, said the departments will release a short video about history and what National Roll Call is on their social media platforms.
“We are trying our hardest to make sure that student veterans still understand that they are valued and that we are doing our best to honor them,” Cortina-Matos said. “Even if we can’t do it in person, we still want to make sure that we mark this occasion.”
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, during World War I the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, ending the war.
However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allies and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 the first commemoration of Armistice Day. The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m.
Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I. However, after World War II required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the nation’s history, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” Nov. 11 became a day to honor all American veterans.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on Nov. 11. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to Nov. 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 and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
