Today is November 11th, Veterans Day. The holiday began in 1919 to commemorate the armistice that ended what was then known as “The Great War.” Fighting in World War I ended at 11 a.m. on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Armistice Day became a federal holiday in 1938. In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a House resolution proclaiming the holiday as Veterans Day, honoring all veterans, past and present.
Today on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce, the 32nd annual Veterans Vigil will be held. Events begin at 10, with a reception on the second floor of the Sam Rayburn Student Center. The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:30 in the Sam Rayburn Student Center conference room. The guest speaker this year is Air Force Col. Gregg Wheeler.
Also today, all veterans with proof of status can get a free lunch at the Lion’s Mane Cafeteria in the student center. And veterans get a discount at the university bookstore.
Later this afternoon, the closing ceremony is scheduled for 4:30. The closing ceremony will begin in the Sam Rayburn Student Center and will conclude with the Hunt County Honor Guard conducting the annual lighting of the vigil flame, outside by the student center.