In Honor of Veteran's Day

Veterans day observance is Friday November 11th, 2011 and it is a time for all of us to remember those that have served our country and continue to serve today to help maintain our freedom and protect our rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time. In 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the day should be "filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory". There were plans for parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business activities at 11am.

In 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving. The Congress also requested that the president should "issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) was approved on May 13, 1938, which made November 11 in each year a legal holiday, known as Armistice Day. This day was originally intended to honor veterans of World War I. A few years later, World War II required the largest mobilization of service men in the history of the United States and the American forces fought in Korea. In 1954, the veterans service organizations urged Congress to change the word "Armistice" to "Veterans". Congress approved this change and on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor all American veterans, where ever and whenever they had served.

We shouldn't need an official day to remind us of the sacrifice of our service men and women along with their familes have made, but we do so please take some time out of your day on Friday to thank them.

To all our veterans and current service men and women I thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for us and our great country.  I will never forget the sacrifice of our service men and women and their families. May God Bless them and keep them safe.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!