Who should you thank this Veterans Day?
Throughout the history of America, the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces have made sacrifices to ensure all citizens of our great country have the freedom to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our soldiers have forfeited time with families, career advancement, physical and mental health, and their lives, fighting at the behest of the U.S. government and its citizens. We owe them a debt of thanks that is difficult to repay.
While Memorial Day celebrates veterans who have given their lives for our country, Veterans Day celebrates all veterans for their bravery and dedication. It is celebrated on what was once called Armistice Day. (During WWI, fighting ended when the Germans signed the Armistice Treaty at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.)
This year, when November 11th rolls around, celebrate one of the many veterans who are all around us. They are our family members, our neighbors, and our friends. They may have served in WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, or the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
You may even want to encourage your favorite veteran to share his or her stories, letters, and thoughts through the Veterans History Project, an endeavor of the Folklife Center of the Library of Congress. The project collects and preserves stories of wartime service. You can learn more by visiting www.loc.gov/vets/vets-home.html.