Many of our customers are veterans or family members of vets. We’d like to take today’s blog to say thank you. Without the dedication, courage and sacrifice of veterans, we would not be the America we know and love.   So today we’ll look at the history of this holiday that celebrates our nation’s brave veterans. The Treaty of Versailles was signed June 28, 1919. But World War One actually ended earlier, when hostilities ceased on November 11, 1918.   The following year, American president Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 Armistice Day. People rejoiced, thinking they had survived the war to end all wars.   In its first years, Armistice Day was celebrated with parades and a partial day off from work. Some states began declaring November 11 as a legal holiday. In 1938, an Act of Congress proclaimed Armistice Day a national holiday dedicated to world peace.   Unfortunately, World War One did not to turn out to be the war to end all wars. Next came World War Two, followed by the Korean War. In 1954, at the behest of veterans’ organizations, Congress changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans’ Day. President Eisenhower signed the change into law. Now later warriors were also included.   Nowadays, many civic and military groups sponsor special events on Veterans’ Day. Try to take part. Listen to veterans talk or watch a Veterans’ Day parade. Some cities host Veterans’ Day 5K runs.     Here are a few things you can do any day to honor veterans:

• ·        Thank a veteran. Let the veterans in your life know that you appreciate their sacrifice.

• ·        Visit a cemetery and tidy up a veteran’s grave. Perhaps one of your own, or a neglected veteran.

• ·        Consider volunteering for a veterans’ group. Veterans from recent wars could use your love, kindness and skills.