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[[Image:Vetsday07.jpg|right|200px]]

[[Image:Vetsday07.jpg|right|200px]]

'''Veterans Day''' is a celebration to honor the 25 million [[United States of America|American]] [[veteran]]s for their [[patriotism]], love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: <ref>[http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp History of Veterans Day]</ref>

'''Veterans Day''' is a celebration to honor the 25 million [[United States of America|American]] [[veteran]]s for their [[patriotism]], love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day:<ref>[http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp History of Veterans Day]</ref>

==End of the War==

==End of the War==

===The Veterans Day National Ceremony===

===The Veterans Day National Ceremony===

A tradition-rich ceremony is held at Arlington Cemetery every November 11th. All branches of the armed forces give recognition to fallen warriors at the [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]], a moment of silence and the wreath laying ceremony.

A tradition-rich ceremony is held at Arlington Cemetery every November 11. All branches of the armed forces give recognition to fallen warriors at the [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]], a moment of silence and the wreath laying ceremony.

[[File:Arlington cemetery guard.jpg|right|thumb|200px| Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]]

[[File:Arlington cemetery guard.jpg|right|thumb|200px| Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]]

A number of countries honor their veterans each year on November 11, although the name and types of commemorations differ somewhat from Veterans Day celebrations in the United States. For example, [[Canada]] and [[Australia]] observe "[[Remembrance Day]]" on November 11, and Great Britain observes "Remembrance Day" on the Sunday nearest to November 11. There are similarities and differences between these countries' Remembrance Day and America's Veterans Day. Canada's observance is actually quite similar to the U.S. celebration, in that the day is intended to honor all who served in Canada's Armed Forces. However, unlike in the U.S., many Canadians wear red poppy flowers on November 11 in honor of their war dead. In Australia, Remembrance Day is very much like America's Memorial Day, a day to honor that nation's war dead. Australia and New Zealand also mark ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day on April 25 to commemorate troops who fought at [[Gallipoli]] during the [[First World War]].

A number of countries honor their veterans each year on November 11, although the name and types of commemorations differ somewhat from Veterans Day celebrations in the United States. For example, [[Canada]] and [[Australia]] observe "[[Remembrance Day]]" on November 11, and Great Britain observes "Remembrance Day" on the Sunday nearest to November 11. There are similarities and differences between these countries' Remembrance Day and America's Veterans Day. Canada's observance is actually quite similar to the U.S. celebration, in that the day is intended to honor all who served in Canada's Armed Forces. However, unlike in the U.S., many Canadians wear red poppy flowers on November 11 in honor of their war dead. In Australia, Remembrance Day is very much like America's Memorial Day, a day to honor that nation's war dead. Australia and New Zealand also mark ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day on April 25 to commemorate troops who fought at [[Gallipoli]] during the [[First World War]].

In Great Britain, the day is commemorated by church services and parades of ex-service members in Whitehall, a wide ceremonial avenue leading from London's Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square. Wreaths of poppies are left at the Cenotaph, a war memorial in Whitehall, which was built after the First World War. At the Cenotaph and elsewhere in the country, a two-minute silence is observed at 11 a.m., to honor those who lost their lives in wars.<ref>[http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetday_faq.asp Veterans Day Frequently Asked Questions]</ref>  In Russia, veterans are honored on February 23rd.

In Great Britain, the day is commemorated by church services and parades of ex-service members in Whitehall, a wide ceremonial avenue leading from London's Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square. Wreaths of poppies are left at the Cenotaph, a war memorial in Whitehall, which was built after the First World War. At the Cenotaph and elsewhere in the country, a two-minute silence is observed at 11 a.m., to honor those who lost their lives in wars.<ref>[http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetday_faq.asp Veterans Day Frequently Asked Questions]</ref>  In Russia, veterans are honored on February 23.

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Veteran]]s

* [[Veteran]]s

* [[Hero]]: [[Gallery of American Heroes]]

* [[Hero]]: [[Gallery of American Heroes]]

{{reflist|2}}

{{reflist|2}}

==External Links==

==External links==

* [http://veterans.house.gov/ House Committee on Veteran's Affairs]

* [http://veterans.house.gov/ House Committee on Veteran's Affairs]

* [http://oathkeepers.org Oath Keepers]

* [http://oathkeepers.org Oath Keepers]

* [http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetday_faq.asp Veterans Day Frequently Asked Questions]

* [http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetday_faq.asp Veterans Day Frequently Asked Questions]

[[Category : Holidays]]

[[Category:Holidays]]

[[Category : United States Holidays]]

[[Category:United States Holidays]]

[[Category : Veterans]]

[[Category:Veterans]]

[[Category : Observances]]

[[Category:Observances]]

[[Category : Military]]

[[Category:Military]]

[[Category : History]]

[[Category:History]]

[[Category : War]]

[[Category:War]]

[[Category : Wars]]

[[Category:Wars]]

[[Category : Conservatives]]

[[Category:Conservatives]]

[[Category : United States History]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category : Pro Second Amendment]]

[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]

[[Category : Military Glossary]]

[[Category:Military Glossary]]