Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I as well as the soldiers who served. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month signified the end of World War I. However, after having been through World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd Congress amended the act by striking the word "armistice" and inserting the word"veterans".
One of the most memorable and haunting war poems ever written was "In Flanders Fields," by physician Lt.Col. John McCrae:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The lark, still bravely signing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, through poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
