11-11-1918 at 11 AM

Yesterday was Veteran's Day. It wasn't always. Once it was called Armistice Day. It was the day in 1918 when the hostilities of World War I ended. That was "The Great War" or "The War to End All Wars."

Armistice Day (also known as Remembrance Day) is on 11 November and commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918. While this official date to mark the end of the war reflects the cease fire on the Western Front, hostilities continued in other regions, especially across the former Russian Empire and in parts of the old Ottoman Empire.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice_Day

In reality, it was the cause of events that led to the Second World War. Some 20 million died in WWI.

After WWII, in 1954, it was renamed by Congress to Veteran's Day to honor all those who served in times of war. Now, it is used to honor all veterans.

I qualify as a veteran. A combat veteran, since I served in a combat zone during hostilities. In truth, my service was minor. I was never at great risk of life and limb. I don't need much honoring. I don't feel worthy of it. So many more did so much more and sacrificed so much more than I.

My view of Veteran's Day has much to do with how I learned of it as a child. At that time, it was mostly a holiday where the nation mourned those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Those who served their country and died in that service.

I am happy to see that we have come around again to honoring those who served. I hope you took a few moments yesterday to consider those who served, who fell in that service, and who stand ready to defend this nation.

Today is an important day also. It is a Sacred Day here because it is Faye's birthday. Which birthday, we are not permitted to reveal. Let's just say she is clearly of drinking age.