(The Center Square) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared Veterans Day as “Victory Day” to commemorate the ending of World Wars I and II.
“Today is not only Veterans Day but it is my proclamation that we are going to be saying and calling ‘Victory Day’ for World War I,” Trump said while speaking to national leaders and veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. “From now on, we’re going to say ‘Victory Day’ for World War I and World War II, and we can do plenty of other wars, but we’ll start with those two.”
In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower changed Armistice Day, in recognition of World War I veterans, to Veterans Day.
“Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage and our freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.” Eisenhower wrote in a proclamation.
In his remarks, Trump did not explicitly call for the renaming of the holiday.
He said he came up with the idea for “Victory Day” when he noticed that countries like France, the United Kingdom and Russia celebrate the end of the world wars.
Trump also acknowledged accomplishments from several veterans who were in the audience, including former Army Capt. William Swenson, who received a medal of honor for his military efforts in Afghanistan.
Trump also recognized Dale Stovell, a retired brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force, who led search and rescue missions during the Vietnam War. Additionally, he pointed out Jon Turnbull, an Army veteran who lost his vision in a bombing while deployed to Syria.
Trump recognized Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for his leadership in the June bombing of Iranian uranium enrichment facilities at Fordow.
Trump said he has ordered that more of the B-2 bomber planes that were used in the Iranian attack to be developed.
