Veterans aren't just old men in uniforms; they are our brothers, sisters and friends--and they deserve our respect every day
�WHEREAS the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations��
These words are included in a concurrent resolution enacted by Congress on June 4, 1926 as official recognition of the end of the first modern global conflict �World War I. In 1938, Nov. 11 was proclaimed �Armistice Day,� a day of world peace, primarily in honor of soldiers of WWI. After World War II and Korea, however, Congress changed �Armistice Day� to �Veterans Day,� a day to honor all American veterans.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the American nation annually honors its veterans in the Veterans Day National Ceremony. Not to be confused with Memorial Day, Veterans Day is in remembrance of all veterans, alive and dead.
Since its founding in 1776, America has participated in over 200 wars and �conflicts,� averaging over one per year. There have been times of great nationalism, such as during World War II, or great controversy, as in the ending years of Vietnam.
Over the years, politics and wars and power and peace and dying have been some of the most controversial dinner table talk. Sometimes it seems as though enough cannot be said about any of it.
As Veterans Day approaches, especially with American soldiers currently in Iraq, we should try for a moment not to dwell on whether what has happened in the past was right or wrong, but the questionable course of our future.
Remember veterans aren't just old men marching in parades wearing uniforms. They are anyone who has served, during peace or conflict. They are your grandparents, your cousins, your aunts or uncles, your brothers and sisters, your friends. The guy sitting a few tables away from you at McDonald's could be a vet, or maybe that guy who always pumps your gas is. Maybe you are.
Though why wars have happened will always be a controversial question, the fact that they did happen will not. We should all remember and respect veterans on Veterans Day.
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