Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day is often overlooked as a day to celebrate or even use as a marketing or PR tool, but we have thought of some great ways to show your respect, and gain media attention for your olive oil store during this very special holiday.

This day in U.S. history is marked by a feeling of respect and gratitude for those who serve or have served in our country's military and armed forces. While one would find it tough to associate this day with anything as pleasant and as light-hearted as olive oils and vinegars, we've thought up some great ideas that bring people together to honor Veterans by incorporating olive oils, vinegars, and of course food. There are very few ways to find commmon ground with people who have been through tough circumstances - but food is an amazing way to say "thank you", and "we appreciate you".

We've got some great Olive Oil Store Veteran's Day Ideas and Tips Below!

Offer Handmade Labels options on your Olive Oils and Vinegars that children or adults can customize and write their own personal messages on. To make it even more fun, set up a computer and printer, and allow them to print off their own customized labels right there in the store. Themes can include patriotic and U.S. themes with pre-made messages to give them an idea where to begin. Saying "We appreciate you" has never tasted SO good!

Market and offer veterans a special discount on Veteran's Day to show your store's support and gratitude. Send a Press Release to local media outlets, and even sponsor an event (like a tasting or a dinner for veterans) if you are looking for media coverage in your area.

Find local veterans in your community, and present them with a few products with customized "thank you" messages.

Be sure to post something on the outside of your store, that people will easily see as they walk by.

The History of Veteran's Day

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of     historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.