The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month Why Veterans Day and the Number 11 Go Hand in Hand
Veterans Day comes every Nov. 11. It’s a national holiday that recognizes veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces and honors those both living and deceased. Historically, the day marks Armistice Day and the end of the Great War: World War I. But what is the significance of the number 11? The armistice was signed at 5:45 a.m. in France, but it took effect at 11 a.m. that same morning — which happened to be Nov. 11, 1918. The armistice originally lasted 36 days but was extended month after month. This led to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, when peace was officially declared. Later that year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that Nov. 11 would be known as Armistice Day to honor those who fought
in the Great War. This lasted until 1954, when President Dwight Eisenhower signed a proclamation turning Armistice Day into Veterans Day. The change was made in order to recognize all veterans who had honorably served their country. By 1954, the U.S. had fought in more wars — specifically World War II and the Korean War — and hundreds of thousands more Americans had served.
Unsurprisingly, there was some political drama surrounding the day. In 1968, Congress made Veterans Day a federal holiday under the Uniform Holiday Bill. The idea was to increase the number of three-day weekends in the year. Veterans Day became a holiday that would fall on the fourth Monday of October, a far cry from Nov. 11.
However, in 1978, Veterans Day was restored to its original Nov. 11 date. But why?
The answer is simple. It’s a number that sticks with you. When the clock strikes 11:11, you always take notice. By that same notion, we all remember the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Because of this, we’ll never forget the end of the Great War, nor will we forget those who served.
FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE: A SERIOUS OFFENSE FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVERS
The CA Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 21703, Additional Driving Rules, warns “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway.” When a commercial driver’s license (CDL) holder is convicted of “following too close,” their chances of getting hired by a reputable trucking firm are significantly reduced. Following too closely, also known as “tailgating,” is a serious offense with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A trucking firm may decide to terminate a driver with this offense, even if the commercial driver has had a clean record for years up until this conviction. Trucking firms and fleet managers also know that a second conviction within three years will result in a 60-day license
suspension. If they hire a driver with one conviction of a serious offense and that driver gets another within three years, that firm will have to terminate them or hold a driving slot for them for two months. And, if they have a choice between hiring a driver fresh out of school or a driver with one serious offense on their record, they may be more likely to choose the former. This is why commercial drivers should fight these tickets. The fine for the ticket in CA is typically $238, and 1.5 points will be added to your record. If you pay the ticket fine or
dispute the ticket in court and lose, your conviction will be sent to the DMV. From there, it will be forwarded to the FMCSA, which will add 5 points to your Compliance, Safety, & Accountability (CSA) record, and that is devastating. If you received a ticket for following too close, now is the time to fight, and our team at Bigger & Harman can help. Don’t tackle this offense on your own — with our experience and skills, we can help you fight to protect your right to drive and your livelihood.
2 | www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker