I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. ~Abraham Lincoln

Veterans Day is usually celebrated on November 11.  This year, it falls on a Wednesday which made me curious as to why it isn't a Monday holiday like most other non-religious holidays.  It turns out major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. Hence- "Veterans Day" in the United States, and "Armistice Day" or "Remembrance Day" to the rest of the world.  I've got to say I'm a little ashamed I didn't know that.

I'm also a bit ashamed that Veterans Days seems to be slipping under the radar.  I'm not sure why we don't have the day off and why there isn't better PR for the holiday in general.  There is no more important time than now, no more important day than today to be reminding the men and women who serve or who have served our country just how much we are proud of them.  

It's interesting to me to think about how America was founded deliberately and specifically because of an idea, or rather, a host of good ideas.  We don't have ancient castles or ruins to look back on, because the richness of our history is less tangible.  Our history is rooted in dreams and ideals that are important enough that people literally sign their lives away to simply serve the cause.  It's mind blowing to me.  In a time when the majority of the next generation of young adults are more focused on success and money than ever before, there are some who are so selfless that they donate their entire lives to the ideal.

That's beyond something to be proud of.  That's the life-blood of our country.  I think maybe we forget, or take it for granted, or maybe even down-play its importance.  But it's absolutely everything.  The pride we can feel in the very purpose of our society can give us reason to act in a way to be proud of.  We obviously don't all live up to it.  But it's what makes us so strong, both in military strength and intellectual strength.  We're built on dreams and new ideas, and would fight to the death for integrity of our freedoms.

So here's to all the men and women who have served our country, and to those who are serving both domestically and abroad today so that we have the privilege of living our dreams back home.  Let's give them a reason to fight and let's continue to make this place something to be proud of.