The United States and nations within the British Commonwealth celebrate the contribution of the military on the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918. The armistice called for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front on “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” Following World War II, the United States changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all Americans who served in the military.
Veterans Day is an important patriotic holiday for this country. We must remember the all veterans who served and currently serve in protection of our freedoms. We must remember those who they gave their lives for this freedom and honor those who returned home to celebrate with us. Unfortunately, the politics of the military has its numismatic casualties. In this case, the Mint was not authorized to produce a commemorative coin honoring the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Sixty years after one of the worst wars in world history, we need to remember. We must remember those who died and those who survived to shape a great nation. There isn’t much time to honor those who served. World War II veterans are aging and dying at an estimated rate 1,100 every day. It is a travesty that the United States did not issue a commemorative coin to honor those who served. Why? Would it have been so difficult for congress to set aside partisan bickering to properly remember the contributions of our veterans for their service during World War II? What does this say to those fighting in current wars? Rather, congress tries to micro-manage the Mint’s activities for their own agendas instead of doing what is essentially the right thing. (I will explore congress’s handing of the Mint in future blog entries)
For those who would like to add a commemorative issue to honor those who serviced in the victory of World War II, you can find very nice issues from the Royal Canadian Mint, British Royal Mint, and from other countries of the British Commonwealth who use the service of the Pobjoy Mint.
I salute the protectors of freedom, past and present!