Today is Veteran’s Day. It marks the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — the time when the armistice was signed to stop the War to End all Wars.

Just imagine what life could have been like if World War II, Korea and the Vietnam War had never happened. Think if there hadn’t been wars in Angola and the Middle East, Kosovo and Ethiopia. Imagine if those men and women who fought and died were still with us, solving problems, teaching others and raising families.
None of us can say how history could have been changed. We can debate back and forth what would have taken place if Hitler didn’t exist, or if political leaders made different decisions. We will never know. Although we all dream of peace, it’s far-fetched, and we must live in reality.
Day in and day out, we hear about the men and women who serve our country dying in the battlefield. It’s because of their bravery and sacrifices that we enjoy the freedoms we do today.
We must respect those who have returned and are returning from the war and the horrors they have endured, the discomfort they withstood, and the fact that they have to come back to help us understand that war is devastating.
Veterans are men and women who have given the best of themselves for a country that should take more than one day to honor and celebrate them. If you know a veteran, or have a veteran in your family, take time to talk to them, to listen to them and to tell them “Thanks” for a job well done.