Tomorrow is Veterans Day

Veterans Day 2014, Running Network

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While we're all veterans of something, maybe just life itself, tomorrow honors the veterans of the armed services. Not to be confused with Memorial Day, Veterans Day is explained by AL.com:

Difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day: Veterans Day is a federal holiday that is celebrated on Nov. 11 each year. It's often confused with Memorial Day, which is set aside to honor those who died serving their country. Veterans Day is for all those who have served in the armed forces. 

Armistice Day: The origins of the holiday date back to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, who proclaimed Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919 to mark the end of World War I. The armistice between Germany and the Allied nations that ended WWI was signed on that day and a ceasefire went into effect on the 11th hour of Nov. 11, 1918. An interesting note on that day, however. The war didn't have its official end until seven months later, when, on June 28, 1919, the parties signed the Treaty of Versailles in the Palace of Versailles in France.

While looking at the topic of veterans, particularly veterans of Vietnam (a conflict that marked a tumultuous time in American history), I came across some enlightening information. One of the more outrageous reports from the period was the story of war protestors spitting on the returning veterans.  This article in Wikipedia says it's a myth and offers no image. An article at Cracked gives "5 Lies About the Vietnam War You Probably Believe."

Looking at more recent veterans, Joe Klein at Time Magazine's Swampland writes--

We hear a lot about the troops who come home suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder; we hear about the suicides and domestic violence. We hear about the unemployment and homelessness. All of which is sad and true But there’s another side to the story…

While you must have a subscription to read the Time cover story, "The New Greatest Generation" (2011), a number of sites have published articles about it. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). Being Chief. Forbes Magazine.

From the Forbes article, there's this:

Make no mistake about it, more young vet movers and shakers are in-bound to American communities across the nation. Investing in their future now is the best thing we as a country can do for our collective future, from their education to their health care to their employment.

BTW, ABC News offers a list of deals and freebies being offered veterans as thanks.

I offer my thanks, too.

-- Marge