The South Whidbey Historical Museum has a roster of South Whidbey veterans who served during World War I who became members of the South Whidbey Barracks, No. 1210 organized in 1958 and located in Langley, WA. Many area founding family names are on the list. (See photos.)
Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I, when the Armistice (end of hostilities agreement ) was signed on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour.
Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, 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.
Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day, a U.S. public holiday in May; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who died while in military service. It is also not to be confused with Armed Forces Day, a U.S. remembrance that also occurs in May, which specifically honors those currently serving in the U.S. military.
