Last updated: October 28, 2026
Chances are, you know someone who has served in the U.S. military, whether in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard or the newest branch, the Space Force. Maybe it’s a parent, a neighbor, a colleague or the person down the hall. This Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, let’s pause to remember everyone who has served and honor the sacrifices they’ve made in defense of our freedoms.
How Veterans Day Came to Be
Veterans Day began as Armistice Day. In 1938, Congress made November 11 a legal holiday to mark the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” In 1954, Congress renamed it Veterans Day and widened its purpose to honor American veterans of all wars.
For several years in the 1970s, the holiday was observed on the nearest Monday. In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law returning it to November 11, where it has remained ever since. Restoring the date preserves its history and keeps the focus where it belongs: honoring America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Veterans at the UW
The UW has a long history of employing veterans, educating troops and supporting students as they move from military service into civilian careers. The university served as a training ground for troops during World War II and in the years after, and it educated thousands of veteran students on the GI Bill. Today, veterans are part of our faculty, our staff and our student body across all three campuses.
The UW offers a wide range of resources to help veterans find community and support as they pursue their educational and career goals. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Washington #25 among the Best Colleges for Veterans and UW Bothell is tied for #3 among regional universities in the West. UW Tacoma was named the top school in Washington and the Pacific Northwest for supporting service members and their families by Military Times and climbed to #4 among Top Public Schools in the West in U.S. News. Those resources include:
- Admissions services for military and veteran applicants
- Services and resources for veterans, including the Veterans Education Benefits Office
- Visit the Staff and Faculty Veterans Association, which welcomes employees from every UW campus
- Campus landmarks, including the Veterans Archway at UW Bothell and memorials on the Seattle campus honoring UW’s Medal of Honor recipients and veterans of World War I, World War II and the Spanish Civil War
Join Us for Veterans Appreciation Week
Each November, all three UW campuses come together to celebrate their military-connected communities. If you can, join an event in your area. Here is what’s happening on the Seattle campus this year, and you can find details and updates on the Veterans Appreciation Week page:
- Tuesday, November 10, 10 a.m. to noon: Memorial restoration at the Medal of Honor Memorial. Coffee, donuts and all the equipment are provided.
- Tuesday, November 10, 4 to 6:00 p.m.: Staff and Faculty Veterans Association no-host social at Shultzy’s on The Ave
- Wednesday, November 11, 11 a.m.: Veterans Day Ceremony and Reception at the Medal of Honor Memorial, featuring the Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award and a student veteran speaker
- Thursday, November 12, 6 to 9:30 p.m.: Veterans Alumni Reunion at Urban Family Brewing Co.
- Friday, November 9, 4 to 6:30 p.m.: Vets Night Out at Shultzy’s on The Ave
- Saturday, November 21: Salute to Service football game against Indiana. Free tickets are available by sign-up, with student veterans prioritized and alumni and community members welcome. Game time is still to be announced.
UW Bothell and UW Tacoma host their own celebrations too. Check with the UW Bothell Veteran & Military Resources Office and the UW Tacoma Veteran and Military Resource Center for this year’s schedule.
Be sure to look at Valor for Veterans: Honoring Service and Supporting Transition.
Caring for Mental Health
Coming home isn’t always easy. Many veterans face financial hardship as they return to civilian life, and others carry psychological challenges most of us can hardly imagine. According to the VA’s National Center for PTSD, between 11 and 20 percent of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan experience PTSD in a given year. Moving into civilian work or campus life can be especially hard for those who have seen combat or deployment overseas, which makes finding quality care and support so important.
If you or a veteran you know is in crisis, help is available any time. The Veterans Crisis Line is free and confidential, and you don’t need to be enrolled in VA health care to use it. Dial 988 and press 1, text 838255 or chat online. In an emergency, call 911.
Support Veterans Through the UWCFD
One meaningful way to say thank you is to give to a UW Combined Fund Drive organization that supports veterans. You can make a one-time gift or set up a payroll deduction.
Your support makes a real difference. Thank you for helping our veterans find their footing.