Thanks in large part to our military men and women, we have freedom and opportunities that others in many countries don't have. Veterans Day gives us a chance to stop and recognize those who have served throughout our history.

First proclaimed as Armistice Day for November 12, 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson, it took another 19 years to be proclaimed as a day of observation and made into public law in 1938, making the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday; "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."

Soon our country found itself in another World War, and Al King, an Emporia, Kansas store owner, had the idea to expand "Armistice Day" to celebrate all veterans, not just those who served in World War I.  In a bold move, the Emporia Chamber of Commerce supported closing their shop doors on November 11, 1953 to honor veterans. With the help of then-U.S. Rep. from Kansas Ed Rees, a bill for the holiday was passed through Congress and signed it into law in 1954, replacing "Armistice" with Veterans, and it has been known as Veterans Day ever since.

In honor of military veterans, both a federal holiday and a state holiday in all states, it is usually observed on November 11. Feds still get a day off if it occurs on a Sunday, as the following Monday is designated for holiday leave. If it occurs Saturday, then either Saturday or Friday may be so designated.

In a time with two conflicts in countries far away directly involving less than a percent of the US population, we can easily forget the reason for this day off from work.  But veterans (current and past) left families behind to wait for their safe return and gave up the very freedoms they went to protect to keep us safe and free from harm. They fight to protect our way of life and are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, and for that, we remember them. 

As of November 6, 2008 the death toll from both the Iraq and Afghanistan is 4,815 and increasing.

On Veterans Day we're supposed to honor veterans who have served to protect the things we take for granted. So if you see or know a Veteran, say, "Thank you. Thank you for all you've done."

For more information on Veterans Day, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

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Related Videos:

Veterans Day Slideshow

Veterans Day Tribute Video