THANK YOU

What began as Armistice Day marking the end of World War I exactly 90 years ago today has now become a day to honor American veterans of wars past and present.

This day has a different meaning to different people, which is why it celebrated across the world in different forms. Some call it Remembrance Day in an observance more akin to our Memorial Day. Others call it Poppy Day and associate it more closely with WWI.

To me Veterans Day represents the sacrifices of war and the importance of those who set everything aside to serve this great country when we needed them most. And nothing proves that point more than a particular Armistice Day address delivered by President Franklin Roosevelt.

In November 1941, less than a month before the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt gave a particularly poignant speech at Arlington National Cemetery that would forever reverberate through history because of time at which it was delivered. Said Roosevelt:

Our observance of this Anniversary has a particular significance in the year 1941.

For we are able today as we were not always able in the past to measure our indebtedness to those who died.

A few years ago, even a few months, we questioned, some of us, the sacrifice they had made. Standing near to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Sergeant York of Tennessee, on a recent day spoke to such questioners. “There are those in this country today,” said Sergeant York, “who ask me and other veterans of World War Number One, ‘What did it get you?’”

Today we know the answer-all of us. All who search their hearts in honesty and candor know it.

We know that these men died to save their country from a terrible danger of that day. We know, because we face that danger once again on this day.

With America facing that danger once again, now, more than ever, we must remember those who have served us. It is their sacrifice that made this country great, and it is their courage that will keep it great.

So, thank you to those who served. May God bless you and may God bless America.

(Photo: Reuters)