November 9, 2023
Dear RSU 67 staff, students, families, and community members,
Tomorrow, Friday, November 10, 2023, RSU No. 67 will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day.
The origin of Veteran’s Day dates to more than a century ago when in recognition of the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as Armistice Day. Although World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, fighting had ceased several months earlier when Germany and the Allied Forces agreed to an armistice, which took effect on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. For this reason, many regard November 11, 2018, as the end of World War I.
In his 1919 declaration of Armistice Day, President Wilson proclaimed: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with the 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 the nations.” Armistice Day was officially recognized by Congress in 1926, and Armistice Day became a national holiday in 1938.
The first “Veteran’s Day” celebration occurred in Birmingham. Alabama on November 11, 1947, in which World War II veteran Raymond Weeks organized a “National Veteran’s Day” to honor all veterans with parades and festivities. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming every November 11 as “Veteran’s Day.” In 1982, President Ronald Reagan presented Raymond Weeks with the Presidential Citizen’s Medal.
On this Veteran’s Day, we honor all who have served or are currently serving in the United States military. I especially want to recognize those veterans and their families who are also part of the RSU No. 67 School Community. Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice. Thank you for your dedication to preserving our freedoms and for promoting peace and justice in the world. We are forever in your debt.
“OUR DEBT TO THE HEROIC MEN AND VALIANT WOMEN IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY CAN NEVER BE REPAID. THEY HAVE EARNED OUR UNDYING GRATITUDE. AMERICA WILL NEVER FORGET THEIR SACRIFICES.” - PRESIDENT HARRY S. TRUMAN
Until next time……...
Dr. Paul Austin,
Superintendent RSU No. 67