Happy Veterans Day

Here at Cooliris we’d like to take a moment to thank our troops on Veterans Day. There are 23 million living veterans and active duty service members of the US Armed Forces, and Veterans Day commemorates both their courage and that of their families.

Keeping with tradition, President Obama presented a wreath today at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Veterans Day was initially celebrated as Armistice Day, to commemorate the end of “The War to End All Wars”, World War I. Woodrow Wilson declared it a national holiday in 1938, and in 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill declaring November 11th to be Veterans Day. In the UK, the holiday is still celebrated as Armistice Day.

This particular Veterans Day, several of the Navajo Code Talkers who helped transmit confidential messages during World War II spoke up on their experiences. With only roughly 50 of the original 400 still alive, their story (which you can read about here) risks being lost to the ages. Many veteran groups are similarly few in numbers – and it is important that their tales are retold.

My own grandfather stormed Normandy on D-Day, earning two Purple Hearts for his injuries. He always had a great respect for those he served with, both the survivors and those who had fallen. He possessed a certain patriotism and pride in his service that transcended politics, and this pride was just one of many admirable traits I remember him by.

Take a moment today to honor a veteran in your family or community – both as service members and as human beings. A simple “Thank You” goes a long way.