November 11 is Veterans Day in the U.S. - a federal holiday to honor all
military personnel who have served the U.S. in all wars.
The
sun sets behind U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jamie R. Johnson, a platoon
sergeant assigned to Bayonet Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry
Regiment, Task Force No Slack, as he patrols Afghanistan's Kunar
province, March 17, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mark Burrell
This is the first Veterans Day since the last U.S. troops left Iraq in
December. The holiday this year is also a chance for Americans to thank
the rapidly shrinking population of World War II veterans.
The U.S. president places a wreath every Veterans Day at the Tomb of the
Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.
Communities across America traditionally hold Veterans Day observances
and ceremonies. Federal offices will be closed Monday in recognition of
the holiday.
Veterans Day - originally called Armistice Day - was first observed in
1919. One year earlier, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th
month, an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations took effect.
Britain honored its war dead Sunday - Remembrance Day - with a moment of
silence at 11 a.m., local time.
The
sun sets behind U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jamie R. Johnson, a platoon
sergeant assigned to Bayonet Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry
Regiment, Task Force No Slack, as he patrols Afghanistan's Kunar
province, March 17, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mark Burrell