Veterans Day a time to honor those who have served

Next Saturday is a solemn day around the world. In the United States, it’s observed as Veterans Day. Other countries observe it as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day.

At 5 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, in the Forest of Compiegne, the Germans and Allies officially signed the Armistice ending World War I. The War to End All Wars had lasted for four years. Hostilities officially ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

The war, between the allied powers of France, Russia, the United Kingdom, Italy and the United States and the Central Powers of Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire, left millions dead and helped shaped the modern world.

President Woodrow Wilson ordered the observance of Armistice Day in 1919. The final paragraph of his proclamation sets the tone for the day’s observation:

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nation.”

Congress passed a resolution in 1926 inviting all Americans to observe Armistice Day and, in 1938, proclaimed it a national holiday.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill making the day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia, and started the tradition of formally observing the day with ceremonies and the placement of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Emporia, Kan., held a Veterans Day observance in place of an Armistice Day remembrance on Nov. 11, 1953. Representative Ed Rees, who represented Emporia in Congress, introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to officially change the name to Veterans Day as a way of honoring all those who served in American wars. The bill was enacted June 1, 1954.

Over the years, while Veterans Day has remained a federal and state holiday, it has been observed primarily by banks and government offices. In fact, Veterans Day, enacted as way of honoring and remembering the 25 million men and women who have served in the armed services, is often confused with Memorial Day, which was enacted to honor those who have died in service to this country.

With members of the United States military fighting and dying on foreign soil, Veterans Day takes on an even bigger meaning this year.

The men and women who have served in the military, both in times of peace and war, all have made a sacrifice to preserve the freedoms and privileges we too often take for granted.

When veterans return home, do we ask them how they’re doing? Ask them where they served? Ask if they still have friends overseas?

More importantly, do we stop to thank them for their service?

Too often we don’t.

More importantly, more often than not, we take for granted the very rights and privileges for which they have fought and, sadly, died to protect.

With so many of our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters serving in the military, the least we can do is to express our sincere thanks.

We can do that directly and individually, but we also can express our gratitude by exercising the rights and privileges they fought to protect.

We can start by voting.

We send our best and brightest overseas to help spread democracy, but too often we forget to practice it right here at home.

As one veteran said recently, staying home on Election Day is a slap in the face to everyone who has ever served in our military – it, in effect, tells them that their sacrifices aren’t appreciated here at home.

And that’s a shame.