1. Veterans Day

2. Veterans Day is the day set aside to honor all those who have fought in defense of the United States.

3. It was originally known as “Armistice Day” - the day World War I ended at 11:00 a.m., November 11, 1918. (The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.)

4. The first Armistice Day ceremony was held in the United States in 1921. That day an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

5. However, the name was changed in 1954 to “Veterans Day” to better reflect the honoring of all U.S. veterans, regardless of when they served their country.

6. Throughout the history of America men and women have answered the call to serve their country. For many, it cost them their lives.

7. American Revolution (1775–1783) Total served: 217,000 Battle deaths: 4,435

8. War of 1812 (1812–1815) Total served: 286,730 Battle deaths: 2,260

9. Civil War (1861–1865) Total who fought in war: 3,263,363 Total who died: 498,332 Total served (Union) 2,213,363 Total deaths (Union) 364,511 Total served (Confederacy) 1,050,000 Total deaths (Confederacy) 133,821

10. Spanish-American War (1898–1902) Total served 306,760 Total deaths 2,446

11. World War I (1917–1918) Total served 4,734,991 Total deaths 116,516

12. World War II (1940–1945) Total served 16,112,566 Total deaths 405,399

13. Korean War (1950–1953) Total served 5,720,000 Total deaths 54,264

14. Vietnam War (1964–1975) Total served 9,200,000 Deployed to Southeast Asia 3,100,000 Total deaths 90,198

15. Persian Gulf War (1990–1991) Total served 2,322,332 Deployed to Gulf 1,136,658 Total deaths in Gulf: 148

16. There are approximately 25,038,459 American veterans living today. Seek them out. Thank them. Your freedom is a gift from them.

17. Do you know a veteran?