Every year, I try to write something on Veterans Day. This year in wandering the great open spaces of the internet, I found this official poster for the event.

I pulled it down from the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs site which seemed to be OK, as they made it easy to do. The site also has posters back to 1998, if you'd like to check them out, do so here;

 http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp

Veteran's Day began as Armistice day after WWI. The treaties were signed at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th Month, hence November 11th. At least, that is what we all think!

Actually, the treaties were signed on June 28th, 1919, but hostilities had actually ended on 11/11/18, so that is what stuck.

Not originally a holiday, there was a brief cessation of business at the aforementioned time, and then back to work.

Almost 20 years later it was made a holiday in 1938.

The 83rd Congress in 1954 changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor those who had fought in WWII and successive wars.

Later it was included in the Uniform Holidays Act which moved a number of holiday celebrations to Mondays. This was not popular with many, including Veterans groups and President Ford changed the law regarding Veterans Day in 1975. The day actually reverted to the 11th in 1978, where it remains.

All of this aside, remember its meaning. Take at least a moment today to reflected upon the great and many sacrifices so very many have made. It matters little what we as individuals may think of a particular war or military action. What matters is that we never forget the price paid by so many, their families and their friends.

Today, I will be at the dedication of a brand new Vietnam Memorial in Glenarden, Maryland. Where will you be?

Next time, on the 16th, we return to the scheduled posts from Soldierstone in Colorado. See you there, as always, at 9:00am.

To see Vietnam memorials from any state, click the state name on the left side of this page.