ATLANTA – At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, “The Great War” – known as “the war to end all wars” – came to an end.
Armistice Day – better known today as Veterans Day – was first celebrated in 1919, and today, cities nationwide pause to celebrate – from parades to remembrance ceremonies.
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations,” then President Woodrow Wilson said in a proclamation.
Nine decades after the end of World War I, we still celebrate veterans and the sacrifice they made to make our country what it is. “Let’s all come together to honor our veterans – the debt we owe them is immeasurable,” U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., said in a statement.
“Words can only begin to describe the debt of gratitude Americans owe to our veterans,” U.S. Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., said in a statement. “If not for the enormous sacrifices of men and women who answered the call to serve, we would long ago have lost the freedoms and blessings that make this the greatest nation in history. Thanks to our veterans, we continue to live in a land of opportunity.
“Just as their predecessors did, today’s service members stand on the front lines defending Americans from those who wish us harm. The sacrifices our war fighters make have forever earned for them our most humble thanks and admiration. There exist no greater public servants than those who risk their lives each and every day in the uniform of this country.”
Veterans do not need to be celebrated only on Veterans Day. To celebrate the other 364 days per year, seek out national cemetery or a memorial to veterans of foreign wars – so many cities nationwide have monuments. Some are large, others are small, but all are meaningful.
Said Lewis: “Be sure to pause on this Veterans Day to remember those who have given ‘the last full measure of devotion’ to protect our freedoms.”
For a list of veterans memorials in Georgia, click here.