The eleventh month.
The eleventh day.
The eleventh hour.
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally created to commemorate the end of World War I, which officially took place on Nov. 11, 1918. It was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’” In 1954, after both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress — at the urging of veterans service organizations, changed the word “Armistice” and inserted the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
This day is set aside to thank living veterans who served honorably in the military — in wartime or peacetime.
A veteran – whether Active Duty, Retired, National Guard, or Reserve – is someone who at one point in his or her life wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount of ‘up to and including my life.’ That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.
The character of a nation can be measured by the way it treats its veterans. When it comes to Vietnam veterans, that character is a bit tarnished.
We stand on the shoulders of those who went and served before us. Some came home. Some gave the ultimate sacrifice. There is no way that we could ever repay them for their dedication except to offer our humble thanks.
To all my fellow veterans:
Have a good Veteran’s Day. We all should take time to remember and thank those who have served and those still serving. I’ll be at my American Legion Post and VFW Post to celebrate.
HOOAH!