Today is set aside to recognize the veterans of this great country and we should do so. However, it appears it is a day that only families of veterans are the ones who pause and reflect on the true meaning of this day.
The day originally was established as Armistice Day to remember the end of World War I; however, during 1954, Congress and then President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed Nov. 11 as Veterans Day. This day is meant to thank those living veterans who have served their country with pride and dignity in any war or during peacetime.
This is an important time to remember our soldiers. Far too often we tend to forget the sacrifices they and their families have to go through to protect our freedom. Look at our soldiers today. They are being deployed for much longer times and during difficult times here.
Not only are these sacrifices for them, but our soldiers are putting their lives on the line every day. Is it too much to ask to remember them just a little on one day out of the year?
We don't think so and we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the service and commitment these men and women put on the line every day. If it were not for them, who knows where we would be right now.
We continue to call on these soldiers to fight for our country and we have two wars going on now to prove it - Iraq and Afghanistan. If you don't think they deserve a little praise, pick up a weapon and go walking in their shoes. We think you will change your minds.
So as the remainder of today goes by, please take a moment and pause to remember our veterans. It is because of them we continue to be the greatest country on this planet. We thank these veterans and salute them for a job well done.