The story of Veterans Day begins with WWI.

Known at the time as "The Great War", WWI was the first truly global conflict. WWI was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and member of the ruling family, the Hapsburgs. Both Ferdinand and his wife were killed by a Serbian terrorist group, called the Black Hand, while traveling through the streets of Sarajevo in June of 1914.

The United States remained neutral for nearly three years, but ultimately joined the conflict in April of 1917. Although other reasons existed, U.S. involvement was prompted by the discovery of the Zimmerman Telegram and the fact that German subs were targeting merchant ships in the Atlantic.

Legendary American soldiers associated with WWI include General John “Black Jack” Pershing, aerial ace Eddie Rickenbacker, Alvin York (one of the war's most decorated soldiers) and Marines Dan Daly and Smedley Butler. Hard fought victories were achieved at Belleau Wood, Chateau Thierry and the Second Battle of the Marne.

The war officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on the 28th of June 1919, even though actual fighting had ceased several months earlier, when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th of November 1918.

Veteran's Day (originally known as Armistice Day) commemorates the end of WWI and is celebrated on the 11th of November. It is also a day for us to honor the service of all our Military Vets, past and present, and thank them for their heroic efforts to keep America free. To all the aforementioned Veterans, I thank you and your families, for the sacrifices you have made to assure the safety and security of our great Nation.