On this day in 1918, at the eleventh hour, the Allies of World War I and Germany signed an Armistice Agreement for cessation of hostilities along the western front. The United States changed the name of its day from Armistice Day to Veterans Day after World War II to remember all veterans. Unlike much of the rest of the world, Veterans Day in the United States is not constrained to remembering the dead but includes the living as well (Memorial Day is the day we set aside for remembering those who died while serving our country).
There are approximately 21 million military veterans in the United States. The nation owes them a debt of gratitude and thanks for their service and sacrifice.