Today, November 11 is Veteran's Day.
The rest of the world calls it Armistice Day or Remembrance Day.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, World War I ended. The Great War was devastating to Europe. Trench warfare and modernized weaponry made the front lines a quagmire of mud, blood, and terror.
So, even though 20+ years later the world would be back on the battlefield with World War II, we realized that we could not forget those who sacrificed in WWI. We would not.
In fact, we did not...since the United States Congress officially approved of Armistice Day as a national holiday starting in 1938, even though there had been observations beginning in 1919.
Veteran's Day in the United States, honors ALL Veterans--dead or alive. It is not to be confused with Memorial Day, in which we honor those men and women who died while in the service of our country. Nor, should it be confused with Armed Services Day, where we honor those men and women who are currently serving in our military.
Typically our elementary school would have a great little ceremony to honor veterans. The boys would invite their uncle to come down and be their guest. I attended several of those assemblies. It brought tears to my eyes every single time.
This year, with F-ing Covid, those ceremonies are now virtual. I won't get to see those veterans in person and thank them. The kids won't get to look into the eyes of those service members, some who try to fit back into their uniforms at the assembly, and appreciate their sacrifice.
Regardless, there will be ceremonies. B said that they are planning a virtual ceremony, and that I needed to submit the names of "our Veterans". I hope they send the slideshow home so I can view it.
Today, I will pause at 11am, as I usually do on November 11, and take a moment to remember all the Veterans.
I hope you will too.
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