By Staff
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the Germans signed the Armistice to formally end the hostilities of the first World War.
For years that date was remembered as Armistice Day, a time to honor the veterans of that terrible world war.
Nov. 11 has come to be known in the United States as Veterans Day, a special time set aside for us to honor those men and women who have served our country in the armed forces in all wars.
For the ninth year in a row, we are celebrating a Veterans Day with troops in harm’s way. U.S. military personnel have been in Afghanistan since October 2001 and in Iraq since March 2003.
Living in Brewton and East Brewton today, we have many men and women who have served our country in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. We owe these men and women — and their families — a huge debt of gratitude for the work they have done to secure and preserve our freedom.
From the first shots fired at the Boston massacre to the fighting done today in Iraq and Afghanistan, citizens have always stepped up to fight for freedom.
We hope that everyone will pause today to remember those men and women who have given the “full measure of devotion” — and take a few moments to thank the veterans who returned home.