Veteran's Day - A Time to Remember

It's late. I'm sitting here watching The Battle of the Bulge. It's hard to say that I enjoy the film, but I enjoy the historical significance of the film. This film, along with many others over the years, has a difficult story to tell. How can a film even begin to accurately portray the misery and horror experienced by soldiers and civilians alike during times of war?

In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, World War I ended with Germany signing the Armistice. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first "Armistice Day" on November 11, 1919. An Act approved on May 13th, 1938, formalized November 11th as a Federal Holiday formally known as Armistice Day. It wasn't until 1954 that the holiday was officially changed to Veterans Day. But, why is this day so important?

Personally, I have never served in the military - but looking back on it, I wish I had taken the opportunity to serve my country. However, I have family that has served in recent wars and we have documentation of family serving in the military dating back to the Revolutionary War. The sacrifices of those in uniform are what give us our freedom today. Some suffered wounds, while others gave their lives. These sacrifices also extended the soldiers' families as they cared for their wounded and mourned their dead.

This Veterans Day, I urge you to consider the list below and take a moment to pray for our men and women in uniform and the families they have left behind.

WAR	NUMBER SERVING	WOUNDED	BATTLE DEATHS
Revolutionary War	217,000	6,188	4,435
War of 1812	286,730	4,505	2,260
Mexican War	78,718	4,152	1,733
Civil War (Both Sides)	3,213,363	354,805	191,963
Spanish American War	306,760	1,662	385
World War I	4,734,991	204,002	53,402
World War II	16,112,566	671,846	291,557
Korean Conflict	5,720,000	103,284	33,741
Vietnam Conflict	8,744,000	153,303	47,424
Persian Gulf War	2,225,000	467	147

Note: For details, see this document from the US Department of Defense.

On behalf of myself and my whole family, I want to express the utmost gratitude to all who are serving or have served in uniform. For those families that have lost their loved ones, I want you to know that there are those of us that want to be sure their sacrifices are never forgotten.

Thank you veterans.