Veterans Day, first known as Armistice Day, originated ninety years ago at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 when a temporary armistice between the Allied Nations and Germany went into effect. The next year, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first Armistice Day to mark the end of the “Great War” and in 1926 he issued a 
proclamation that that November 11 be a day of displaying the flag and observing the day with public ceremonies. In 1938 Congress passed a resolution declaring November 11th to be a legal holiday to honor the veterans of World War I.Over the years, this holiday has continued to evolve, first by a name change in 1954 from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars. As we honor our veterans today we recognize that our world has changed from that cold November 11th in France where the soldiers of the 353rd infantry awaited the end of the hostilities. Unlike the soldiers of World War I, today’s veterans are every gender, race, creed and religion. Their commonality is their response to a higher calling – an unselfish service to our nation. Here in our nation’s capital and across the globe, many of your colleagues, friends and neighbors have served with pride and distinction. Let us pause for a moment on this Veterans Day to say “thank you” for their service and sacrifices.
