Veterans Day is about honoring our service men and women, for the patriotic duty of putting their lives on the line to protect and serve our nation. But, one of the most important historical points about this day has been forgotten. Originally, Veterans Day was known as Armistice Day, and it commemorated the end of the First World War. This day was established to recognize the peace agreement that our soldiers fought for, not the celebration of endless war. At 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918, a ceasefire brought an end to a war that killed 20 million people, and wounded many more. In the years that followed, our entire nation came to a stop at 11 a.m. on this day every year, for two minutes of silence to honor the lives that were lost in World War I, and to recognize the high price that so many paid to bring peace. Today, many Americans celebrate this day with bar-b-ques, or picnics, without ever considering the soldiers who made it possible, or the ones still fighting senseless wars around the globe. Even our media fails to recognize the men and women who are fighting right now in wars that were started over lies, and continue on with no real victory in sight.
Perhaps this Veterans Day we can honor those who served our nation, and those who continue to fight, by bringing them home, and putting an end to perpetual war.
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