Veterans Day 2015

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, the country celebrates Veterans Day, a day of honor for America’s veterans of all wars.

In May of 1930, following World War I, an Act approved Nov. 11 as a legal holiday to the cause of world peace, celebrated as “Armistice Day.” The day honored veterans of World War I.

In 1954, after World War II and the large mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen, and following the Korean War, the 83^rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 at the request of veterans service organizations, replacing the word “Armistice” with “Veterans.”

The legislation for today’s Veterans Day was approved in June 1954.

• County, State and Federal offices will close in observance of the holiday. This includes the United States Postal Service, public schools, public libraries, and the Hilo Trap and Skeet Range.
• Banks and other financial institutions will also observe the holiday.
• The Hele-On bus will operate on a holiday schedule.
• National parks, including Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, will offer free admission to the public.
• A Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at both the West Hawai’i Veterans Cemetary and the East Hawai’i Veterans Cemetary at 11 a.m.