This is an archive of special readings for Veterans Day, a civic holiday in the United States commemorated on 11 November.

In 1945, World War Ⅱ veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama, had the idea to expand Armistice Day (commemorated internationally by many countries to mark the anniversary of the end of World War Ⅰ) to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War Ⅰ. Weeks led a delegation to Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who supported the idea of National Veterans Day. In 1954, at the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was repurposed as ‘Veterans Day.’ Veterans Day honors United States military veterans, that is, persons who both served in the United States Armed Forces and who were honorably discharged.

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Looking for something else?

For an archive of prayers, prayer-poems, and songs for US Veterans Day, go here.

For an archive of prayers, prayer-poems, and songs for International Armistice Day, go here.

For prayers offered for the well-being of Military Personnel & Veterans, including the Israeli Defense Forces (צה״ל), please visit here.

For prayers composed for or relevant to Memorial Day in the United States, please visit here.

For public readings selected for Memorial Day in the United States, please visit here.