November 11, 2026
Veterans Day first began as Armistice Day to celebrate the ending of World War I. World War I ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 (November 11, 1918, at 11:11 a.m.). Armistices Day first became a legal holiday in 1938; it was celebrated on November 11 each year. In 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all who serve and served in the military. In 1968 the holiday was moved to the fourth Monday of October for federal employees to have a three-day weekend celebrating four national holidays that fell on Mondays, including Veterans Day. The first observance of the new date was in 1971; many states objected to the change and did not recognize the new date. In 1975 the observance date was changed back to November 11 with the first holiday on the new (November 11) date observed in 1978. If November 11 falls on a weekend, the holiday is observed the following Monday. While Veterans Day honors all service members, Memorial Day honors service members who lost their life in service to their country. On Veterans Day, the US flag remains at full staff.
The Texas Panhandle War Memorial Center will host our 27th annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11 beginning at 11 a.m. at the War Memorial, 4111 S. Georgia. Our program will include an invocation, presentation of colors, pledge of allegiance, national anthem, a flyover by the Panhandle Warbird Flight, salute to the services, and more. Our guest speaker is Mendell Sshelin, United States Army Vietnam Veteran and TPWM board treasurer.
The Veterans Day Ceremony is open to the public and all are encouraged to come by The Texas Panhandle War Memorial.
The Veterans Day Ceremon