“I’ve Got Your 6:” Six Things You Might Not Know About Veterans Day

November 8, 2024

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Pierce County Council took time to honor the brave people who have served our nation with courage and commitment. This year’s Veterans Day is on Monday, Nov. 11, and as the country prepares to celebrate its Veterans, it’s a powerful moment to reflect on the deep bonds of trust, loyalty, and mutual support that characterize military service.

One enduring example that exemplifies this is the phrase “I’ve got your six”—a saying that originated with American fighter pilots during World War I. In aerial combat, pilots used the positions of an analog clock to indicate direction, with 12 o’clock meaning straight ahead and 6 o’clock directly behind. A pilot’s “six” represented a vulnerable spot where an enemy might try to attack. By pledging to “have their six,” a wingman signaled they would stay vigilant, defending their partner against unseen threats.

Today, the phrase is used in the military as a symbol of the loyalty and cooperation found in the military community, and in broad terms, it means, ‘I’ve got your back,” which goes beyond the battlefield and even the uniform. In the Veteran community, it’s used to acknowledge that Veterans look out for each other and continue having the backs of their communities here at home.

In honor of “I’ve Got Your Back,” here are six things you might not know about Veterans, Pierce County, and the day we’ve set aside to celebrate them.

1. The origins of Veterans Day are Found in WWI

Veterans Day found its roots in American society at the end of WW1 when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 Armistice Day to commemorate the end of “The Great War.” The Armistice was signed at 5:45 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, and it took effect at 11 a.m. that same day. The United States Congress established Nov. 11 as a legal holiday for Armistice Day, which was signed into law on May 13, 1938.

Sixteen years later, on Oct. 8, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower would become the first President to issue a Veterans Day Proclamation.

2. Veterans Day has a Complicated History with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968.

The Uniform Monday Holiday Act permanently moved two federal holidays in the United States to a Monday, Presidents Day and Memorial Day – and further made Columbus Day a federal holiday, also permanently on a Monday. The intent of this legislation was to create long weekends with three days off ending with the holidays.

When the bill was enacted, it moved Veterans Day from Nov. 11 to the fourth Monday in October, with the first Veterans Day under the new law being recognized on Oct. 25, 1971. This was met with strong public resistance. Many states continued to celebrate the holiday on Nov. 11, and veterans’ groups voiced their dislike of the change. So, in 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law to return Veterans Day to Nov. 11, beginning in 1978, to align with the end of World War I. As a result, we celebrate Veterans Day on Nov. 11, regardless of the day of the week. It is still celebrated in several European countries as Armistice Day.

3. 34,000 Veterans Receive Disability Compensation in Pierce County.

According to 2023 Census Data, Pierce County is home to more than 105,000 veterans or 11.4% of the County’s total population. Of those, approximately 34,000 receive disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for service-related injuries, many of whom served in combat and are Purple Heart recipients.

The Purple Heart is the oldest award in the Armed Forces and is still given to service members today for injuries sustained in combat. The first Purple Hearts were awarded in 1782 to three noncommissioned officers during the American Revolution by then-General George Washington. The Pierce County Council declared Pierce County a Purple Heart County on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, to serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made for the nation.

4. Pierce County is Home to one of the Nation’s Largest Military Installations.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Pierce County is one of the largest military installations in the nation. It is also the only major Army base west of the Rocky Mountains, allowing for rapid deployment of troops and equipment to the Asia-Pacific region. This is further enhanced by its access to the Port of Tacoma for sea-based transport.

JBLM is home to the 62nd Airlift Wing, which provides significant air transport capabilities for troops and equipment. Additionally, The Army’s I Corps – an Army command focused on combat operations – is headquartered at JBLM and has military capabilities dotted across the Pacific, including Alaska and Hawaii. This makes JBLM a central hub for land force power projection.

Looking closer to home, about 6,000 service members separate from military service at JBLM annually, and more than 60% choose to remain in the region.

5. Pierce County has a Veterans Advisory Board and a Treatment Court Designed Specifically For Veterans.

The Pierce County Council established the Pierce County Veterans Advisory Board (VAB) in 2016 to advise the County on the needs of local veterans, the resources available to local veterans, and programs that could benefit the needs of local veterans and their families.

The VAB is comprised of 11 voting members appointed by the Pierce County Executive and confirmed by a majority of the Pierce County Council. Members are current residents of Pierce County and must be honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. military. The Board’s mission is to honor all veterans by providing the highest quality programs possible.

The Pierce County Council appropriated more than $200,000 in the 2024-2025 Biennial Budget for a new Veterans Officer position to provide proactive outreach and engagement with underserved veterans in Pierce County. The Council also allocated $4.5 million to the County’s Veterans Relief Fund to provide emergency assistance to qualified veterans. Both these areas are informed by recommendations from VAB members.

In addition, Pierce County District Formed established the County’s Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) in 2019, and since its inception, the Court has been dedicated to supporting military veterans involved in the criminal justice system by providing structured therapeutic services aimed at addressing the root causes of their legal issues. The VTC offers life skills and guiding personal growth. The goals and objectives for the VTC are:

Combat trauma by providing meaningful mental health services.
Achieve total abstinence from illicit drugs.
Provide therapeutic responses to give the participants accountability.
Promote progress by supporting phase progression.
Offer support to participants achieving recovery utilizing treatment tools.
Reduce the recidivism rate of service members involved in the program.

6. Green Lights Shine on County Facilities From Nov. 4-Nov. 11 Every Year.

Pierce County participates in Operation Green Light, a national initiative that seeks to honor and support military veterans with a visual display of support in the form of green lights. The National Association of Counties established Operation Greenlight to raise awareness of the challenges Veterans face as they transition from military service to civilian life.

The intent of Operation Greenlight is to raise awareness of the challenges Veterans face as they transition from military service to civilian life.

The Pierce County Council regularly encourages everyone to participate by putting a green light outside their homes through the Veterans Day holiday.

On behalf of the Pierce County region, the Council says, “Thank You, Veterans!” We appreciate the sacrifices of our Veterans and their families. You can find a list of Veterans Day events happening near you at https://www.dva.wa.gov/calendar.