Celebrating Veterans Day
The Great Republic has strong ties to Veterans Day. The Great Republic was founded by an Air Force veteran, and our past and current employees include veterans, spouses of servicemen, and children of military members. We are proud of our troops and their commitment, sacrifices, and dedication to this country. That’s why, whether you're a veteran or active military member, you can come into one of our two store locations and receive 10% off your order. Always.
Our military discount is just one of the small ways we like to say “thank you” for your service. We also love to seek out military memorabilia and antiques, to share and celebrate the stories found in historical military memoirs, battlemaps, recruitment posters, and letters, to honor and share the past experiences of those who served.
Read below to learn the history of Veterans Day, followed by a small selection of our historical military inventory currently available for sale.
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally created as a U.S. holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words:
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."
Later Congressional legislation, approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I.
In 1954, after both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans" in its place. This was done at the urging of veterans groups to celebrate the veterans of all wars. With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor all American veterans.
"The Call to Duty, Join the Army, For Home and Country" Vintage WWI Poster $2,750.00
1943 Stanley Turner Pictorial Map of the United States During WWII
$2,500.00
Flying Tiger: Chennault of China, Twice-Signed by Robert Lee Scott, Jr., First Edition, 1959
$695.00
$5,500.00
WWII Buy War Bonds Poster Signed by Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Julius Jackson
$4,500.00
Navy Five Star Admirals Signature Collage
$6,950.00
"Join the Air Service / Give 'Er The Gun" Vintage WWI Poster by Warren Keith, 1918
$4,950.00
"Flag Raised at Iwo Jima" Original Painting by Dennis Lyall
$5,500.00
