There’s a Strong Connection Between Veterans Day and the Railroad—and It Goes Back Longer Than You Might Think!

You may know Veterans Day, celebrated annually on November 11 to honor military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. But there’s more to this holiday than just commemoration. Read on to get to know its history and the strong veteran connections to our railroads.

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I. The war ceased on the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918, when the Allies of World War I and Germany signed the armistice and ceased shelling in what would eventually become a formal peace agreement and the end of the war.

Thousands gather at the Subtreasury Building on Wall Street, New York, during Armistice Day. Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Men of U.S. 64th Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, celebrate the news of the Armistice. Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Navy yeoman and yeomenettes on Canal Street New Orleans celebrating Armistice, World War I. Photo via Wikimedia Commons

A year later on November 11 in 1919, Armistice Day was honored for the first time. Today, the holiday is known as Remembrance Day in Europe and its commonwealth, and Veterans Day in the US. The holiday was renamed in 1954 to honor all American veterans in acknowledgement of World War II and the Korean War. 

For more than 100 years, there have been official partnerships between freight and passenger train lines and military transition programs. In fact, organizations like the Association of American Railroads (AAR) have signed formal statements of support for the National Guard and Reserves.

The soldier in our Civil War - a pictorial history of the conflict, 1861-1865, illustrating the valor of the soldier as displayed on the battle-field, from sketches drawn by Forbes, Waud, Taylor. Illustration via Wikimedia Commons

Given that, it is not surprising that many rail companies actively recruit former service members because they have found that their military experience translates quite well to the logistics and safety roles they need to fill.

According to the AAR, 1 in 6 rail employees is a veteran. Freight railroads move thousands of carloads of military equipment every year, and were critical to America’s success during past wars, specifically the American Civil War. (Learn more in our recent blog post!) 

Because Veteran’s Day falls on November 11, some railroad companies unveil specially painted heritage or veteran-tribute engines to honor veterans.

In our case, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is doing our part by offering a free ride on Veterans Day, November 11th for all active military personnel and first responders. 

We invite you to sit back, relax and reflect on this important day while you also enjoy the beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley on a vintage Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad car. There’s really no better way to enjoy the day.

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