With Veterans Day approaching, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all veterans who have worn this nation’s uniform. For those of you who have answered the call to protect and defend our United States of America, weather you served at home or abroad, in wartime or in peace, you are part of an unbroken chain with those who served our nation with honor and grace.

Veterans Day has a unique history worth taking a moment to share. On November 11, 1918 the Germans signed the Armistice and an order was issued for all firing to cease, ending World War I. In 1938, Congress passed a bill decreeing that each Nov. 11 “shall be dedicated to the cause of world peace and… hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt made the day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and, for 16 years, the United States celebrated Armistice Day with ceremonies, parades and religious services.

Following World War II, leaders of veterans’ groups supported a change to make November 11 a time to honor all who had fought in various American wars, not just in World War I. The name was officially changed to Veterans Day by an Act of Congress on May 24, 1954.

While Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, we should also remember those veterans who came before us and the sacrifices that have been made. On behalf of a grateful City and a grateful Nation, thank you for your courage and your service, and all you have done to bring us closer to our highest ideals of a more perfect union.

Veterans are a treasured part of our community and should be celebrated. They are our parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. We should be grateful to veterans every day for protecting the freedom that we too often take for granted. I encourage you to come out and be part of the Veterans Day ceremony at the Rock of Honor in the Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park on Thursday, November 11 starting at 11 am - Join the ceremony and say ‘thank you’ to our local veterans.  Additionally, there are a number of Veterans Day events throughout the Treasure Valley.

As you go about your day on November 11, I encourage you to take a moment to thank the veterans in your life for their service to our country.