OPINION: Remember sacrifices veterans made

The Armistice signing that ended World War I, the "Great War" and the "War to End All Wars," was signed on Nov. 18, 1918, at 11 a.m.

Thereafter, Armistice Day was celebrated on that date and officially designated a federal holiday in 1938.

After World War II, it became known as Veterans Day and in 1977 officially became celebrated on Nov. 11.

Throughout our history, Americans have kept a special place of honor in their hearts for our veterans. And for more than 70 years, Nov. 11 has been set aside to recognize the men and women who have so courageously served their country.

On this day, we remember and pay tribute to the millions of patriots whose bravery and sacrifice have secured our freedom from those who suffered through the harsh winter at Valley Forge, those who preserved our Union on the battlefields of Gettysburg, those who turned back the tide of tyranny and hatred on the beaches of Normandy, on Pork Chop Hill, Khe Sanh, in Afghanistan, and in Iraq. They have kept and are keeping the peace while defending our values around the globe today.

Since the first days of our independence, brave Americans have stepped forward to protect our country and promote the ideals of democracy. Some 48 million men and women from every corner of our country and from every walk of life have served in our Nation's Armed Forces, and 41 million of them have done so under hostile conditions.


Time and again, America has called on our men and women in uniform to protect our national security and to preserve our rights and freedoms.

And, time and again, our Armed Forces have responded by overcoming daunting challenges to achieve hard-fought victories.

In battles that would determine our nation's destiny, in wars that would decide the fate of the free world, in peacekeeping missions that would change forever the lives and futures of peoples fighting oppression, they have persisted in the face of adversity and have succeeded

Such victories do not come easily.

They exact a heavy toll in lives cut short, in family grief, and in human potential unfulfilled. It is a toll paid by the 25 million veterans still living among us who, every day, carry with them the indelible memories of sacrifices made, battles fought, and comrades lost.

To pay tribute to those who have served in our Armed Forces, the U.S. Congress has provided that Nov. 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor America's veterans.

On that day, we as a nation, are asked to earnestly remember the sacrifices all of those who fought to preserve our heritage of freedom. For that and for the peace, prosperity, and liberty their service has secured for us, our nation owes our veterans a profound debt of gratitude.


What a funny group of people we are. We live in a nation of individuals who take their freedom for granted as if liberty had not been purchased with the blood, tears, sweat, and toil of our armed forces.

Too many of us take peace for granted as if no one had ever risked danger to make peace a reality. That is why we gather today - Nov. 11 - to come together and keep the torch of that memory alive.

That is what Veterans Day is all about.

America's heroes are ordinary folks, everyday people who did extraordinary things.

We need to continue the sacred memory of what all of our veterans have done, not just on Veterans Day, but also all year long. This is a significant way to remember all who set aside their own interests when asked to serve in our armed forces throughout our history and not forget how they gave themselves over to something larger than themselves at the call of our nation.

As we celebrate Veterans Day, remember it is a day to review memories of past honor and extraordinary sacrifice; a day to celebrate peace and victories that grew from dark battles; a day to dream of a brighter future.

Freedom is America's heart and soul and is central to our being.

It can only be retained by the eternal vigilance that has always been its price


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