Despite the current federal government shutdown, hopefully resolved prior to Veterans Day, the Veterans Day National Committee of which BVA is a member continues to move forward with the planned activities for the annual ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11.

The VSO breakfast is a hallmark of the day, but will this year be held away from the White House due to the renovations in progress there. Subsequent activities usually include a traditional Presidential wreath laying, a Parade of Colors, formal addresses from dignitaries, and a VSO wreath laying. The day’s events will receive VA support and assistance regardless of the status of the shutdown at the time. BVA will be a participant in all of them.

The origin of Veterans Day at ANC and BVA’s involvement goes back 71 years, nine years after the founding of BVA. In his 1954 Veterans Day Proclamation, President Dwight D. Eisenhower called for the formation of a Veterans Day National Committee to oversee national planning and coordination of a Veterans Day observance. He named the Administrator of Veterans Affairs at the time, Harvey V. Higley, as Chairman of the Committee and called upon the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive Branch to assist the Committee in any way possible.

Administrator Higley called together the leaders of the VSOs and asked them to serve on the Committee. The leadership at BVA at the time included National President Marshall Smith and Executive Director Irv Schloss. Learn more about the Veterans Day National Committee—its purpose and function, objectives, annual tasks, and the roles of member VSOs.