A Veterans Day event took place on Thursday November 7, 2024 on the main campus of Butte College.
Veterans Day is a federal holiday dedicated to the reflection upon the notion of service as we thank living military members, those who are currently serving or have served in the past.
Many people get Memorial Day and Veterans Day mixed up; Memorial Day is the day we honor those who died while serving the country. Memorial day is in May.
This Veterans Day will be the 80th Anniversary for the G.I. Bill which allows veterans to access resources such as funding for school.
Butte College held this event with guest speakers, military vehicles, mobile museums, and booths offering old equipment to recruitment.
“The military vehicles are the best part,” said Butte students Mark and Jen who attended the event.
Butte College had one of the first veteran resource centers in the community college system, originally with just a couch and a small room. The center is now located in a trailer by the Roadrunner Hub with TVs, PlayStations and other things that make veterans feel more at home and comfortable during the transition into college life from military service.
It’s a safe place for camaraderie during the college experience that is often uniquely complicated for those who served in a variety of duties for our country.
The annual event offered free food for everyone in attendance.
Many veterans suffer with the transition from military service into civilian life. The Veterans’ Resource Center reminds people to not be afraid or ashamed to ask for help.
If you are a veteran or know a veteran needing help, call 988 and press 1.
The History of the Holiday
The origins of Veterans Day trace back to World War I, when all sides declared a truce, making the end of warfare at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918. It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
The first iteration of the holiday came on Nov. 11, 1919 when President Woodrow Wilson designated it as a day to honor the Veterans of World War I. At that time, the holiday was known as Armistice Day.
It became a legal holiday in 1938. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to include those who served in World War II and the Korean War. Now all veterans are honored on the day, according to Cincinnati Insider.
