Our national Veterans Day observance originated as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I. The Armistice commemoration was to honor Veterans of World War 1.
On 11 November 1921, an unknown American soldier from World War I was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in the Tomb of the Unknown, in recognition of WWI veterans and in conjunction with the cessation of hostilities at 1100 on 11 November 1918 — the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Veterans Day is observed by a moment of silence and prayer at the 11th hour.
We set aside Veterans Day to honor the high price of sacrifice paid by generations of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coasties and Guardsmen making up the ranks of more than 41 million veterans who have served our nation since the American Revolution. They have valiantly carried forward the banner of Liberty since the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord. Millions of American Patriots have, for generations, honored their sacred oaths “to support and defend” the American Liberty “endowed by their Creator” as the unalienable Rights of Man — the rights of all people, as affirmed in our Declaration of Independence and enshrined in our Republic’s Constitution.
As I humbly attempt to thank my fellow Veterans for all the things you do and have done to protect America, the tears well up in my eyes in sorrow and pride and I feel my heart beating with that painful feeling usually reserved for a lost true love. There are no words that can adequately express the depth of gratitude I feel for your service and your sacrifice.
Sacrifices that you have made on behalf of Americans that you will never meet or know are appreciated in ways that cannot be expressed in the language I speak. I hope that the emotions that I have and the love I have for you will show you how I feel. I am so grateful to you.
I truly appreciate the honor and patriotism. The sacrifices that were/are made by you and by the families that sent you to your destiny, not knowing if you would ever return. Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, brothers, sisters and your children who send a part of their lives and all their love with you are a part of the America that loves you and will always remember you.
Those who have given their all for this country lead your path. I honor them and their sacrifices forever. May their spilt blood forever stain where they fell. I pray that America will always be worthy of these sacrifices.
I honor you one and all. My respect for you and millions before you will never waver.
As a Veteran of the Greatest Country on Earth, I call you brothers and sisters.
KSCHMIDT - United States Army Veteran
God Bless America.
God Bless Her Veterans, past and present.
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