They left their homes, families and friends to serve their country. Often they traveled to far off lands for extended periods. Countless numbers of them, over the years, risked their lives. Some were captured by enemy forces and were treated as no human should ever be treated. Millions returned home with injuries or permanent disabilities.
And millions never came home at all.
But serve they did. And their duty, bravery and sacrifice is the reason America breathes free today.
This is Veterans Day, the day we honor those who took up arms in defense of our nation.
Traditionally celebrated on Nov. 11-the day the Armistice was signed ending World War I-the holiday was originally proclaimed in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson and was then known as Armistice Day.
"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," Wilson wrote in his proclamation.
Armistice Day became a legal holiday in 1938 and was designed just to honor those who fought in the first World War and promote world peace.
In 1953, a show store owner in Emporia, Kan., named Al King, who had served in World War II, launched a campaign to transform Armistice Day into a holiday honoring all veterans. The effort picked up steam and drew support across the state and eventually around the country. So in 1954, Congress passed a bill changing the focus of Armistice Day. President Dwight Eisenhower signed it in May of that year. In November of the same year, Congress officially changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day.
Some folks in the U.S. confuse Veterans day and Memorial Day. Memorial Day is set aside to honor those who gave their lives in military service to the nation. Veterans Day, while still remembering those fallen heroes, is designed to honor all veterans, alive and dead, who served America and whose actions have kept the nation free for more than two centuries.
For many in Texarkana, today will be business as usual. Others will have the day off from work or school.
But no matter where the day takes you, find at least a moment to remember those who gave so much to you, your family and your country. You owe it to them. We all do.