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Veterans Day Commemoration - Valley Forge National Historical Park

Presented by Valley Forge National Historical Park at Valley Forge National Historical Park

November 11, 2011

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 Valley Forge National Historical Park, the pivotal encampment site of General George Washington and his Continental troops during the winter of 1777-78, will honor all American veterans this Veterans Day, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At the National Memorial Arch inside the Park, a wreath laying ceremony and a presentation of arms by the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard will happen at 11 a.m. amid patriotic music by a U.S. Air Force Band Brass Quintet and Bugles Across America.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Muhlenberg Brigade area, on Outer Line Drive, park rangers, volunteers, and uniformed American service personnel, past and present, will be in attendance to remember the nation’s various conflicts, such as the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and World War II.

“It is our hope that the public would join us to honor the service of all who have participated in the military over the past two centuries. As the birthplace of the American Army, Valley Forge is the perfect place to host an event that engages all in remembering on this important holiday,” said Barbara Pollarine, Deputy Superintendent of Valley Forge National Historical Park.”

Suffering from crushing losses at Brandywine and Philadelphia Washington’s troops encamped at Valley Forge and under the tutelage of Baron Friedrich von Steuben they emerged as the fighting force that went on to win America’s independence.
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday honoring the official end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. But in 1954, after the country went through World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938. With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
For more information about Valley Forge National Historical Park, visit www.nps.gov/vafo.