By Amy
Fall is upon us and soon we will celebrate Veterans Day.
Armistice Day, Remembrance Day and Veterans Day are all observed on November 11th. This is because World War I formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the Armistice took effect with Germany. For me, this is one of the most important holidays. It honors all veterans, not just the deceased like Memorial Day.
In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson wrote:
“ADDRESS TO FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN The White House, November 11, 1919. A year ago today our enemies laid down their arms in accordance with an armistice which rendered them impotent to renew hostilities, and gave to the world an assured opportunity to reconstruct its shattered order and to work out in peace a new and more just set of international relations. The soldiers and people of the European Allies had fought and endured for more than four years to uphold the barrier of civilization against the aggressions of armed force. We ourselves had been in the conflict something more than a year and a half. – With splendid forgetfulness of mere personal concerns, we have modeled our industries, concentrated our financial resources, increased our agricultural output, and assembled a great army, so that at the last, our power was a decisive factor in the victory. We were able to bring the vast resources, material and moral, of a great and free people to the assistance of our allies in Europe who had suffered and sacrificed without limit in the cause for which we fought. Out of this victory there arose new possibilities of political freedom and economic concert. The war showed us the strength of great nations acting together for high purposes, and the victory of arms foretells the enduring conquests which can be made in peace when nations act justly and in furtherance of the common interests of men. 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 nations.”
Even over 100 years ago, the United States felt the duty to help nations throughout the world. When fighting against evil, there is always a bigger picture.
I never let a opportunity go by where I can thank a veteran. They are the ones that make sure we continue to live the life we’re living and die for you today.
So, for everyone that has committed their time, energy and life to our great nation, thank you from the bottom of my heart.