Thank you, Veterans

November 11, 1918, during World War I, fighting ceased when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Armistice Day was a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II , the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." On June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Today, twenty-two million living Americans have donned a uniform and made sacrifices to protect this country and its people.

I, for one, am grateful to those American Armed Forces who have dedicated themselves to helping keep ussafe, keep our freedoms in place, and make America a great country to live.

There is no way to put into words the gratitude I feel for the men and women who stand tall, stand at the wall, and protect America and its people. There are no words that can express the sense of respect I feel for the men and women who put on a uniform, who every day take on a new challenge all in the name of freedom.

All I can say is, "Thank you. Thank you to all the Armed Forces, past and present, for your dedication, for your sacrifice, for your love of country. Thank you for my freedoms and for the safety of my family and yours. Thank you."

Wherever you are, stay safe and come home soon.