Today is a celebration with a distinct and meaningful history. Veterans Day, which we honor annually on November 11, is a holiday that truly opens our seasonal month of thanks.

President Woodrow Wilson first deemed this special date as the annual Armistice Day in 1918. This treasured date was selected for the celebration of the cessation between the allied nations and Germany during the First World War, which occurred in the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month. Thus being the reason that November 11, 1918 was such an important date in history.

While the original birth of Armistice Day was in 1918, it wasn’t until post World War II that Veterans Day became the official title of the holiday. In 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenower listened to the lobbying efforts of veteran organizations and changed the name from “Armistice Day” to “Veterans Day”. This deep meaningful holiday continues to honor not only the World War I veterans, but also all of those that have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since. This annual holiday is celebrated with parades, speeches, prayers and thanks to all of the Vets who have given our country the strength and protection we can so easily take for granted, but are so thankful for. So today, our thanks goes to them: to those who have served and are still serving.