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Eleven

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By Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Nov 10 - Veterans Day traces its origin to the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918 when fighting between the Allied nations and Germany ceased with an armistice. The following year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the day as Armistice Day, saying “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 nations…”

In 1938, the day officially became recognized when Congress made the eleventh of November of each year a legal holiday. The day was set aside to specifically honor veterans of World War I. However, years later when World War II required the greatest mobilization of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, Congress amended the original Act of Congress to make Armistice Day known as “Veterans Day” to recognize all of those men and women who have bravely, faithfully, and loyally served our nation.

Veterans Day affords us a time to be intentional about honoring our nation's veterans. Every year on November 11 at exactly eleven minutes past the eleventh hour, a wreath is placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. This week, individuals across the nation will gather at ceremonies on the eleventh – many at 11:00 – to celebrate the lives of our military heroes.

“Eleven” has become a symbolic number to our nation’s veterans. It is also a reminder of our need as a nation to be on purpose with how we honor those who have served. Our nation's veterans have lived with intentionality for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans and they deserve nothing less than our living as a nation with intentionality towards honoring our nation's veterans. This requires more than a thank you. It requires dedication. It requires sacrifices. It requires commitment. To fully celebrate and honor our veterans requires a collective and dedicated purpose as a nation.

One of my top priorities in Congress is to ensure that our Armed Forces are fully equipped with the supplies and support necessary to accomplish the mission of defending and protecting the United States. This does not stop after our men and women return home. Congress has a responsibility to keep the promises made to our veterans and to be intentional with its long-range planning to ensure our troops receive benefits for their sacrificial service. I hope you will take time to read about my work on veterans issues on my website http://forbes.house.gov.

Americans at home have an opportunity to be intentional, too. Whether it is by sharing and reading stories through the Veterans History Project, assisting a veteran at the grocery store, sending a letter of appreciation to a close friend or relative, flying a flag, or volunteering at a nearby veterans hospital, there are many ways to show appreciation to our nation’s veterans for their service. Visit the Veterans Day website at the Department of Veterans Affairs for more information on getting involved, including a teachers’ guide and information on volunteering at the VA. We can also be sure to always say “thank you for your service” to those Armed Forces members – past or present – that we encounter along the way.

Tomorrow, as you go about your day on the eleventh of November, remember the sacrifices of our nation’s veterans. When you look at the clock on the eleventh hour, give pause to 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.” This year, let Veterans Day serve as a powerful reminder of how our freedoms and liberties have been preserved by the dedicated service of the men and women in our Armed Forces. I hope you will join in as we let the eleventh day of the eleventh month underscore our nation’s continued intention to commit to our veterans and their families.