Veterans Day is a U.S. legal holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars, and Veterans Day 2020 occurs on Wednesday, November 11. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated in many countries as Armistice Day the following year, November 11th became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day.

The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, marking the official end of World War I. Nonetheless, the armistice date of November 11, 1918, remained in the public imagination as the date that marked the end of the conflict. One year later, in November 1919, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. The day’s observation included parades and public gatherings, as well as a brief pause in business and school activities at 11 a.m.

On June 4, 1926, Congress passed a resolution that the “recurring anniversary of [November 11, 1918] should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through goodwill and mutual understanding between nations,” and that the president should issue an annual proclamation calling for the observance of Armistice Day. By that time, 27 state legislatures had made November 11 a legal holiday. An act approved May 13, 1938 made November 11 a legal Federal holiday, “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’”

American effort during World War II saw the greatest mobilization of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force in the nation’s history (more than 16 million people); some 5.7 million more served in the Korean War. In 1954, after lobbying efforts by veterans’ service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the 1938 act that had made Armistice Day a holiday, striking the word “Armistice” in favor of “Veterans.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954. From then on, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

The next development in the story of Veterans Day unfolded in 1968, when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which sought to ensure three-day weekends for federal employees—and encourage tourism and travel—by celebrating four national holidays (Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day) on Mondays. The observation of Veterans Day was set as the fourth Monday in October. The first Veterans Day under the new law was Monday, October 25, 1971; confusion ensued, as many states disapproved of this change, and continued to observe the holiday on its original date.

In 1975, after it became evident that the actual date of Veterans Day carried historical and patriotic significance to many Americans, President Gerald Ford signed a new law returning the observation of Veterans Day to November 11th beginning in 1978. If November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government observes the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively. Government offices are closed on Veterans Day.

Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day—a common misunderstanding, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

History.com Editors. (2020, October 9). Veterans Day 2020. In History. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/history-of-veterans-day#:~:text=The%20first%20Veterans%20Day%20under,holiday%20on%20its%20original%20date.

“I started this college adventure at a more advanced stage in my life than I ever thought I might. I came back to Moraine Park Technical College in search of getting 60 college credits for a promotion at work. I received that promotion, so now that I am into the educational process once again, I am continuing on for myself and finally earning a college degree. As a nontraditional student in the Criminal Justice program, I am looking at the educational process through different eyes than a lot of students. While there are many students in the college setting that are nontraditional, a great deal of them are following a career change and not searching for a degree in the field that they are currently employed in. Moraine Park Technical college has made me feel at ease through this adventure. I have been welcomed into the college atmosphere by staff and students as well.

The Think Critically and Creatively class offered through the college and the instructor Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss is another area where I feel welcomed in class each week. While over the years working in corrections, and as an EMT/Firefighter I have had to think outside the box.  I never really took into consideration that thinking critically and creatively was a learned process. I always took it as common sense. Dr.  Leichtfuss and the way she has her class designed has taught me that I can still improve daily on the thinking process – that thinking critically and creatively is a growth process that we should strive to improve on throughout our lives regardless of our career status or education.

I am looking to wrap up my degree after the Fall semester of 2019. While it has been a journey, I am glad I undertook the personal challenge of pursuing my degree. Taking the Think Critically and Creatively class is turning out to be an asset. I wish I would have registered for the class a little earlier on in my college career. I am sure that it would have assisted me in juggling work and school with a little less stress and a more open mind. I am appreciative of what Dr. Leichtfuss has taught me, and I can see myself improving in my thinking skills from here on out.”

Written by:  Bruce Harned

“As I approached my last semester of the Health and Wellness program, I decided to enroll in the Think Critically and Creatively course. I didn’t think it would be that difficult of a class, but it challenges me in an unexpected way. It’s not your typical classroom set up – group discussions are the norm by talking about what you learned from a video or by using the Elements of Thought model to examine case studies and issues. This class challenges you to really think and use your brain – in a way that, for me, hasn’t been used that way in awhile.

This class will help me become successful in my career because I now have valuable knowledge about how to think critically and solve problems outside the box. When thinking this way, I will be able to come up with new solutions. Thinking critically will be useful in the Health and Wellness field because not everyone is the same so they will need different solutions and ways that they can implement healthy living tips into their daily lives. I have loved this class so far and I think everyone should take it! I’ve learned valuable knowledge from Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss and also learned more about myself and how to push myself to think differently. “

Written by:  Kelly Prom,
Health & Wellness Program Student

“My name is Maria Niederwerfer, and I began my education at Moraine Park Technical College in the Fall of 2017. I completed the Medical Assistant program in May, 2018. After graduating from the Medical Assistant program, I decided to continue my education. I returned to Moraine Park Technical College because of the small size classes, which allow for more interaction with students, staff, and faculty.

I currently am enrolled in the Nursing program and recently completed the Think Critically and Creatively course with Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss. Taking this course was the best decision I have made because I learned to make better decisions in critical situations. In the medical field, these decision-making skills, along with communication and collaboration skills, will be very helpful. For example in the doctor’s office, you work as a team and all members have different ideas or approaches to situations. Your coworkers also have their own opinions, and you need to consider everyone’s opinions to provide excellent care to patients.

Again, I’m so glad I chose to take the Think Critically and Creatively course.  Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss makes you feel confident about yourself. There are no wrong answers in her classroom; there are only different ideas. She challenges students to think of different solutions to problems, which leads to better outcomes and decisions.”

Written by Maria Niederwerfer, student at Moraine Park.

For more information at Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

“As a college student, you are urged to obtain all of your necessary credits, but you’re not really sure why you need to take some of the courses. As I enrolled in the Think Critically & Creatively course for my first semester at MPTC, I remember telling myself, ‘I’m glad it’s only an eight-week class.’ I figured this class would be the longest eight weeks of my life and I wasn’t looking forward to it at all. Now that this class has concluded, I realize I gained so much useful knowledge and tools to help me become a stronger critical and creative thinker.

Following the first day of class, I knew this course would be beneficial to my life experiences in the real world and my goal of becoming a nurse. Too often individuals don’t realize how much critical and creative thinking that occurs every day with family members, fellow classmates, and co-workers. Being a good critical and creative thinker will make me stand out in a crowd.  

From this course, I will always remember to identify the purpose of a major decision and how the outcomes from that decision can affect others, too.  Furthermore, being more accepting and open to new ideas can greatly impact my career success, as well as following the critical thinking process when making decisions or solving problems.  I’m so glad that I took this course.  I know that it will only help me to be a great nurse when I graduate.”

Written by Victoria Schimming, MPTC Student.

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

“We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win. “ John F. Kennedy

President Kennedy spoke these words in 1962 to challenge the nation that we need to keep pace with the technological challenges of that time with other nations and added a boost to our competitive nature. Continue reading

Students share their thoughts about new MPTC General Education course:
Thinking Critically & Creatively using Telepresence technology

This semester a new course – Thinking Critically & Creatively – is being offered as a General Education Social Science course option for students because employers continue to emphasize the need for teaching critical and creative thinking skills.  Students are able to simultaneously participate in this course via the Telepresence technology by attending class at any campus location – Fond du Lac, West Bend, and Beaver Dam during the scheduled class time on Fridays from 12:30 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. Continue reading

Want a motivating story to start your day? Rachel Bestor’s is as good as any. She’s had plenty of ups and downs in her journey to find her right career path, but her perseverance has brought her great things. Here’s Rachel’s story, in her own words:

My name is Rachel Bestor. I was born and raised in Fond du Lac, WI, where I currently reside. My family means the world to me. They supported me throughout my education at Moraine Park and helped me when I was struggling over my assessments and the rollercoaster of happiness and stress. My hobbies include spending my free time with my family and going on outings. We especially enjoy the summer where we can spend much of our time outdoors just enjoying the weather and having fun.

I have one brother and one sister who are both older than me and who both went on to bachelor’s degrees right out of high school. Then there’s me who became a single mom shortly after high school. I was 18, going on 19 when I had my first child and it was a struggle to continue on in college, but I tried it anyway.

That’s when I first chose Moraine Park Technical College. Continue reading

If we want to improve student learning, we really should focus on making sure faculty have what they need to support their teaching endeavors. A new program at Moraine Park has been designed to do just that! Continue reading