Today is Veterans Day, a national holiday.
Virtually all levels of government have the day off, banks and financial institutions are closed, and there’s no mail delivery but many school districts still have classes as usual.
Veteran’s Day began as Armistice Day, marking the end of the fighting in World War 1 at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. While Presidential proclamations were issued for it starting in 1919, Armistice Day didn’t become a national holiday until 1938.
After World War II, a movement began to broaden the meaning of the day, culminating in Congress changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all those who served in the U-S military.
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, in his Veterans Day message, says “the peace and prosperity we enjoy as Americans wouldn’t be possible without our veterans.
Time and again throughout our Republic’s history, courageous men and women have ventured into harm’s way to protect the freedoms we hold dear.” As a result, he encourages all Nebraskans to reach out to the veterans they know – friends, family members, or neighbors – to thank them for their service.
U-S Senator Deb Fischer also encourages everyone to “find the time to than a veteran for his or her service – calling Veterans Day “a time for all Americans to express our deep gratitude for the men and women who selflessly served our nation.
She says it’s also a time to show appreciation for those who have fought to protect the freedoms that make this country great.