One-hundred years ago — at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 — World War I officially came to an end. The Allied Powers, led by the United States, claimed victory in what was variously dubbed The Great War or The War to End All Wars.
World War I also gave birth to what is now known as Veterans Day in the United States, a holiday set aside to honor those who have served in our armed forces. And as we pause today to acknowledge and thank those who have made a military commitment to this nation, the centennial of the Armistice lends particular poignance to the occasion. As President Woodrow Wilson said a century ago: “Out of this victory there arose new possibilities of political freedom and economic concert. The war showed us the strength of great nations acting together for high purposes, and the victory of arms foretells the enduring conquests which can be made in peace when nations act justly and in furtherance of the common interests of men.”
Roughly 21 million living Americans are veterans, including more than 500,000 in Washington. They are our neighbors, our co-workers, and the people we encounter at the corner market, and they serve as vibrant reminders of what indeed can be achieved when we act together for high purposes. A series of ceremonies and parades have taken place throughout the community over the past week, and a remembrance of the Armistice is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at The Historic Trust of Vancouver along Officer’s Row.
Veterans Day is significantly different from Memorial Day, although they both recognize this nation’s military. Memorial Day honors those who died in service of the nation, while Veterans Day acknowledges all military members. The role of the military during times of peace is significant in its own way, for it often is a strong and dedicated military that allows that peace to endure.
