The U.S. military is second to none. Over the past two and a half centuries, it has earned that designation by accomplishing some mighty impressive feats, beginning with the nation’s own dramatically outgunned struggle for independence from Great Britain.
Yes, there have been setbacks along the way, but most of those were the result of poor political decisions made by civilians rather than any poor performance by soldiers on the battlefield.
By and large, the American military is a stalwart defender of freedom, not just in this country, but throughout the world.
But the U.S. military is not really an “it,” but rather a “who.” To be sure, our armed forces can be considered as a collective unit, but that unit only exists because of the hard work and dedication of those people who serve in it.
Choosing to serve in the nation’s military is a decision that should not be taken lightly. In almost every case, it involves sacrifices both big and small not only by the one serving, but from his or her family as well. We would not be the nation we are today without those people and those sacrifices.
That is why it is entirely fitting that we set aside a day each year to honor them. That day was Tuesday, Nov. 11.
It is a national holiday that should not be confused with Memorial Day, which is in May. That holiday is designed to celebrate and honor those members of the military who have died while serving the nation. But Veterans Day is meant to celebrate all service. If you served, Nov. 11 is your day.
And it is an important date throughout much of the world.
In Canada and England Nov. 11 is called Remembrance Day, while in New Zealand, France, Belgium and Serbia it is called Armistice Day. Those observances are to celebrate the end of World War I, which formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
The date had carried that moniker in the United States until 1954, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation declaring it the day to celebrate all U.S. veterans. But the date was hijacked in 1971 after Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which designated Veterans Day to be the fourth Monday of October.
In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford liberated the holiday from fluctuation when he signed a bill formally setting Nov. 11 as Veterans Day. It has remained so since 1978.
It is a fitting day and a fitting tribute.
If you have served in the U.S. military, thank you for your service.