On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was created to honor the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Seven years later, the US Congress passed a resolution in 1926 that this would be an annually observed day, and then in 1938, November 11th officially became a national holiday.

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, there is a common misunderstanding between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day, the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country, whereas Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans – those still here and those we have lost – with special focus and gratitude to the living veterans who served our country honorably during war and/or peacetime.

There are approximately 23.2 million military veterans in the United States today, with 9.2 million veterans over the age of 65, and 1.9 million veterans under the age of 35. There are 1.8 million veterans that are women.

With the recent election, it is important to remember why we honor those that have served this country of ours and why it is ever more important that we focus on those that are currently serving the United States and how we need to continue to rise above and never forget the sacrifices being made so that we are safe and protected.