Veteran’s Day

Today is Veterans Day, formerly called Armistice Day, in commemoration of the signing of the Armistice ending World War I. Because we also have Memorial Day, which primarily honors the dead, many unofficially observe Veteran’s Day as a day to honor living veterans. About 4.7 million American men and 33,000 women served in the military in WWI. Of those fewer than 50 are alive today, according to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates. The Department offers this website to help commemorate the day. In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued his Armistice Day proclamation. The last paragraph set a good tone for future observances:

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 nation.

Here is President George W. Bush’s proclamtion reading, “Through their commitment to freedom, America’s veterans have lifted millions of lives and made our country and the world more secure. They have demonstrated to us that freedom is the mightiest force on Earth. We resolve that their sacrifices will always be remembered by a grateful Nation.”