Dear CAP Volunteer:
For all Americans, especially Civil Air Patrol’s combat veterans, Veterans Day serves as an important reminder of the 25 million courageous men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who valiantly served their country. In other parts of the world, Veterans Day is celebrated as Remembrance Day, or Armistice Day.
Regardless of what you call it, Veterans Day is commonly celebrated on Nov. 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. The major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. By always observing Veterans Day on Nov. 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls, Americans preserve the historical significance of the date and the importance of the holiday.
Veterans Day is and should be a day of national celebration, set aside to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Let’s keep that in mind when we gather with family and friends on Nov. 11 to observe Veterans Day.
Embrace the opportunity afforded to us on this day. Make time to visit with CAP members who are veterans. Reflect with them on the freedoms we have in America and the sacrifices made by all our nation’s veterans to ensure those freedoms. Their devotion and dedication in defense of our country, in times of war and other military duties, must always be remembered – not just on Veterans Day but each and every day.
Veterans, we salute you! Thanks for your great service.
Always vigilant!
Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter
CAP National Commander
