Special Veteran's Day Message

As we take a moment to honor and remember gallant patriots, both past and present, who have answered our nation's call to duty both in war and peace, they have earned our eternal gratitude as we continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers. Not only should we recognize those who have served and are currently serving our nation but we should also recognize their loved ones who are our military's strongest supporters.

Veterans Day is a day to show our heartfelt appreciation to all who have served and are currently serving our great country in the military. For those who fought in Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Verdun, Manila, Pusan, Bosnia, and the Global War on Terror, these brave men and women from all walks of life have left the comforts of the familiar, left family and friends, to defend our way of life and the freedoms many take for granted. All gave some and some gave all.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of 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."

Seven years after Armistice Day was proclaimed Congress requested that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11 as a day with appropriate ceremonies. On May 13, 1938 an act was passed stating that the 11th of November of each year to be a legal holiday; "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."

On June 1, 1954 congress amended the act replacing "Armistice" with Veterans and November 11th has been known as Veterans Day since.

So please take a moment today to recognize those who have served our country and for their loved ones that they leave behind in pursuit of protecting our freedoms. May God continue to bless our service men and women, whether currently service or not, as well as their families on this Veterans Day. Let them know that their service and sacrifices are not forgotten.