Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Raymond Weeks

Founder of National Veterans Day

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

1. Raymond Weeks Marker

Inscription.
A grateful nation remembers Raymond Weeks, founder and director of National Veterans Day.

(Lower plaque)
November 11, 2007, commemorating the 60th Anniversary of America's first National Veterans Day, Birmingham, Alabama.
Sponsored by Patriotism in Action, Blue Star Salute Foundation and National Veterans Day in Birmingham

Erected 1989 by National Veterans Day in Birmingham. Lower tablet added in 2007.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military.

Location. 33° 31.273′ N, 86° 48.66′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard east of 20th Street North, on the right when traveling east. Located in the NW corner of Linn Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Birmingham AL 35203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Boy Becomes a Man (a few steps from this marker); Boutwell Auditorium (a few steps from this marker); Love & Marriage (within shouting distance of this marker); Birth of an Icon (within shouting distance of this marker); Answering the Call (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Shuttlesworth Goes to Work (within shouting distance of this marker); A City of Two Governments (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shuttlesworth Starts the ACMHR (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Also see . . .
1. Bhamwiki article on Raymond Weeks. (Submitted on December 13, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Raymond Weeks: ‘The Father of Veterans Day’. 2016 article by Ken Zurski in UnrememberedHistory.com Excerpt:

Because of Weeks’ unrelenting commitment to honor those who bravely served the United States during times of war, the first “Veterans Day” event was held on November 11th 1947 in Birmingham.

In 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed the designation of Armistice Day when he signed a bill which made Veterans Day, November 11th, a federal holiday. The bill was proposed by U.S. Representative Edward Rees of Kansas.

(Submitted on October 29, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Lower plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

2. Lower plaque

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

3. Raymond Weeks Marker

Looking into Linn Park.

Raymond Weeks Presents Petition to General Dwight D. Eisenhower image. Click for full size.

U.s. gov. photo via National Archives, 1946

4. Raymond Weeks Presents Petition to General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 416 times since then and 41 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week November 6, 2022. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 13, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on October 29, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.