Thanks to all Veterans Out There

I always remembered the official end of WWI as being at 11:11 AM (local time - France) on November 11, 1918, though do a web search these days and you see numerous web sites that say it was simply 11:00 AM (references are made to the quote of the time "The 11th Hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month).

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe my memory is not as good as it once was. I think that I am right and it actually was 11:11 AM, but it really doesn't matter, I suppose - what's 11 minutes in the grand scheme of things? I'm going to continue to say it was 11:11 AM, if for no other reason than it sounds better ("At 11:11, on 11/11").

The armistice itself was actually signed 6 hours earlier (which is something I did NOT know) and it was part of the text of the armistice that the terms go into effect six hours after being signed. I thought that interesting.

How many people today, I wonder, even know that there was an “Armistice Day”? And how many would know that it was observed by many nations around the world, and not just in the US? In fact, a few countries (like Great Britain, I think) still call it “Armistice Day”, while others (like Canada) call it “Remembrance Day”. The US officially changed the name to “Veteran’s Day” in 1954.

So, in the US, “Veteran’s Day” is officially on November 11. It also seems to be one of the few federal holidays which does not have an "observance" on the closest Monday (except, I think, when it falls on Sunday, the federal offices close in observance).

It’s the one holiday I wish our company would add to the 8 others we observe. But it also seems to be the one holiday that is least observed. Many companies and even some state governments do not observe it. Pity. I suppose some people think it’s a redundant holiday - after all, doesn’t “Memorial Day” essentially celebrate the same thing? Well, yes…and no.

“Memorial Day” is a day to commemorate those members of the armed forces killed in war; “Veteran’s Day” is a day to honor and commemorate all veteran’s, living and dead. Yes, it is important to remember those who died in order to secure our freedom, but it is equally important to honor those who have lived or are living.

Think of it this way - how many of you like to be acknowledged for the work that you do, even if it’s nothing more than a simple “thank-you”? I know I do. In fact, one of the real frustrations of my job is that I cannot recall even one time in nearly 15 years that my direct supervisor has said to me “Good job”, or “Thanks for all your hard work”, or anything remotely similar. I feel unappreciated and taken for granted, and as anyone who feels that way knows, it sucks.

So, yes, by all means, commemorate the dead, but let’s not forget to also thank the living. You never know just how much a simple “thank-you” is appreciated.

So, here’s to all those veterans out there; whether you’re American, British, Canadian, or any other nationality that has fought alongside my country, defended our freedoms and principles, and made the world a better place to live: From the bottom of my heart, and with all my soul, my most sincerest THANK-YOU!

You are appreciated and not forgotten.