What is Veterans' Day? According to The American Heritage Dictionary - Armistice Day "n. November 11, celebrated as the anniversary of armistice (truce) ending World War I in 1918. It has been called Veterans' Day since 1954"; - Veterans' Day "n. November 11 holiday celebrated in memory of the armistice ending World War I in 1918 and in honor of Veterans of armed forces." On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 after four years of hostilities a truce or armistice finally ended World War I. VFW Veterans' Day Origins , Veterans' Day Links , and US Military History Timeline are wonderful web sites dedicated to Veterans' Day.
What is a Veteran? The Webster's Dictionary definition says "a. having been long exercised; long experienced in war n. an old soldier; a man of great experience; love of one's country and zealously defends it's interests." The American Heritage Dictionary defines Veteran as "n. one who has a long reward of service in a given activity or capacity; one who has been a member of the armed forces." Soldier is defined as "n. a man of in military service; a man of distinguished valor." Valor is defined as "n. Courage and boldness, as in battle; bravery."
I found these Patriot web sites inspiring; Patriotic Pride Poetry and Patriotic Pride Veterans' Day
How do we honor those who have unselfishly served in our armed forces? I confess I am extremely patriotic and emotional where our Veterans are concerned. I'm married to a Vietnam Veteran who served In Country, he still struggles with the events of that conflict. My father and six uncles served overseas during WWII and the Korean Conflict. Several of my uncles were career service men, two were Navy, one was Army, and one was a Marine. My step sister's father, a sargeant in the Army, was KIA in Korea and my husband was wounded by hostile fire in Vietnam. All the Veterans I know personally, have lost buddies in the wars and they know of the multiple battle scars endured by the numerous surviving Veterans. How do we honor them? Honor a Veteran by acknowledging their place in history, by talking to them and listening to their war stories, and by respecting each Veteran as an individual Patriot. Taking the time to sincerely thank a Veteran for his service to our country and our personal freedom is the most heart warming gesture of honor a Veteran can receive from anyone. For excellent resources on Veterans and the conflicts they served in visit The History Channel's Veterans' Forum and Veterans' Hour
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