On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.
888,246 lives – a cascade of terrible beauty that shocks the eye as it tugs at the heart. The number of Empire soldiers who lost their lives in the “War to End All Wars”. The total number of military and civilian casualties in World War I was more than 38 million: there were over 17 million deaths and 20 million wounded, one of the deadliest conflicts in human history.
116,000 U.S. military lost their lives in WWI. 204,000 were wounded.
American effort during World War II (1941-1945) saw the greatest mobilization of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force in the nation’s history (more than 16 million people); some 5.7 million more served in the Korean War (1950 to 1953). In 1954, after lobbying efforts by veterans’ service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the 1938 act that had made Armistice Day a holiday, striking the word “Armistice” in favor of “Veterans.” President Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954. From then on, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
2,594,000 U.S. military personnel were deployed to South Vietnam. 58,220 died, and 303,644 were wounded.
In the Gulf War, otherwise known as Operation Desert Shield, 700,000 U.S. troops served.
It is amazing to read the number of conflicts just in the 20th century, which finished with U.S. involvement in Bosnia and Kosovo.
The 21st century has seen almost constant involvement in the Middle East, first in Afghanistan, then in Iraq.
Here is a comprehensive list of all conflicts in which the United States has been involved:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_the_United_States
Thank you to all of our veterans, living and dead, for what they have sacrificed for this country.
Many families have sent their young men to war over the years. In my own family, I can name relatives fighting in the Revolutionary War (both sides!), the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
We owe a great debt to the men and women of our military!
Stella's Place 
Stellars…
One veteran cousin and one uncle still alive…cousin served in Vietnam and uncle in World War II (he’s 102 in December).
LikeLiked by 3 people
God Bless your family Lucille
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Colonel! God bless you!
LikeLike
A friend of mine served on the World War One Centennial Commission almost from the day it started. During the years they did the commemoration a number of events were held and its still going on. Thing is that with all of the politics that have been going on the entire years-long centennial has almost been buried, most people have never even heard of it.
LikeLike
Czar!!!! Hey that’s the way it always is. Don’t sweat the small stuff, We made it……
LikeLike
Yah know, the last veteran of the Border War died in 2006 and the last veteran of the Poncho Villa Expedition in 2005. We may have survived our foreign wars but we’re still fighting the local ones.
LikeLike
Thank you for the wonderful article!
I wrote a poem for veterans that I would like to share.
http://brotherscampfire.com/remembrance-of-veterans/
LikeLiked by 2 people
An Interesting Day…
Patricia Dickson
Ms. Dickson is a USAF Veteran….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you to all who severed and sacrificed.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Morning, thank you Lovely..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Evening Sir 🙂 .
LikeLike
Eternal rest grant unto them oh Lord, and may the souls of your faithful departed Rest In Peace.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The Youngest Living Medal of Honor Recipient: Kyle Carpenter’s Story
The Heritage Foundation
Youngest Medal of Honor Recipient Reminds Us How Great America Truly Is
On this Veterans Day, Heritage’s Edwin J. Feulner Institute presents the story of retired Marine Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter. Carpenter is the youngest recipient of the Medal of Honor, and his story reminds us of the sacrifices our service members make for our freedom. In 2010, Carpenter was severely injured after diving onto a live grenade to save his friend while fighting in Afghanistan. “Not everyone has the freedoms, peace, and the chance and hope for democracy that we have here,” says Carpenter. “Don’t go through every day thinking that we’re just here because we’re here. No. We got here because of incredible amounts of courage and sacrifice.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike