Flossi Honors Our Veterans
Armistice Day, observed on November 11, 1918, it marked the end of World War I. It was officially recognised as a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. The day was meant to honour those who had served in World War I.
- Post-World War II and Korean War: By the 1950s, with the advent of World War II and the Korean War, there was a growing recognition that Armistice Day did not adequately honour all American veterans, particularly those who had served in these subsequent conflicts.
- Legislation and Change: In 1954, at the urging of veterans' service organisations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the Act of 1938 by replacing the word "Armistice" with "Veterans." This change was made to honour American veterans of all wars, not just those who served in World War I. On June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed this legislation into law, officially renaming the holiday to Veterans Day.
The renaming symbolised a shift from commemorating the end of one war to celebrating and honouring all U.S. military veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. This adjustment reflected a broader acknowledgement of the service and sacrifices made by all American veterans, not confined to any single war or conflict.
In World War I, approximately 116,516 American soldiers died in total. This number includes both combat and non-combat deaths, like those from disease and accidents. Specifically:
- Battle Deaths: 53,402
- Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater): 63,114
These figures encompass the full scope of American military fatalities during the war, reflecting both the direct combat action on the battlefields of Europe and other causes of death like disease, which was also a significant factor in wartime mortality.
The exact number of soldiers who died just as the Armistice went into effect on November 11, 1918, during World War I is not precisely documented. Still, there were significant casualties on that day. Estimates indicate:
- Total Casualties: Approximately 10,944 casualties, of which:
- Killed: 2,738 soldiers died on the last day of the war.
These numbers include casualties from all sides (Allied and German forces) and reflect the tragic reality that even as the Armistice was signed and known to go into effect at 11:00 a.m., fighting continued in various sectors of the Western Front, leading to unnecessary loss of life just before peace was officially declared.
American soldiers who died in World War I are buried in various locations, primarily reflecting the following categories:
Overseas American Cemeteries:
- Suresnes American Cemetery, Paris, France: Contains graves from both World War I and II, with more than 1,500 Americans from WWI buried here.
- Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, near Fere-en-Tardenois, France: This cemetery holds 6,012 American war dead, most of whom died in the area in 1918 during the war.
- Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France: With 14,246 graves, it's the largest WWI cemetery for American soldiers.
- Somme American Cemetery, Bony, France: Dedicated to American soldiers who fought and died in the battles of the Somme and the Hindenburg Line.
- St. Mihiel American Cemetery, Thiaucourt, France: Over 4,150 American soldiers are buried here, many from the St. Mihiel offensive.
- Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, Belleau, France: This site commemorates those who died in the Battle of Belleau Wood and other nearby engagements.