Veterans Day is an official United States federal holiday that is observed annually on November 11, honoring people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, also known as veterans. It coincides with other holidays including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I (major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect). The United States also originally observed Armistice Day; it then evolved into the current Veterans Day holiday in 1954.
Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who gave their lives and those who perished while in service.[1] Wikipedia
I grew up during the time when the draft was mandatory and guys I knew in high school and college had their draft cards ( the draft ended in 1973) with their numbers on them. The law still requires that males between 18-25 register with the selective service. The military since the draft ended is now all voluntary with both men and women enlisting – which reminds me of a funny story.
When I had my first child, a boy, my father with his wonderfully twisted sense of humor (this apple did not fall far from the tree) came to visit me in hospital and besides a gift for the baby and snacks for me, he slipped in a selective service card for his new grandson. He had a good chuckle and I just shook my head at him.
My family has members male and female who have served in the Army, Navy and Air Force; some during and in active conflicts. The respect shown to our vets has changed with the times from admiration to disdain and back to admiration (except for a few outliers) thank goodness! For what they have done, seen and sacrificed for us they deserve our respect and thanks, proper medical care, jobs and places to call home and more.
Thank you, Veterans.
(Image from www.cem.va.gov )
Images by T.Dashfield Photography 
Beautiful post! Thank you for sharing your heart!
You’re welcome. All things veteran didn’t smack me in the reality face until my dad became a resident at a VA home. Those guys were something else 🙂
This is so true! They are truly my heroes!
They were a hoot especially when local VFW groups showed up with BBQ and beer 🙂
LOL! God bless the Armed Forces!
You had to get out of the way on those days because they would be coming from everywhere to get to the goodies.
Nice post, Teri. They deserve to be remembered.
And so much more!