Veterans Day is celebrated today, Nov. 11, as a way to let the courage of previous and current service members be known and respected.

Thanking the ones around us is a part of our everyday life. But thanking the ones who fight for the freedom of our country is dedicated to a certain day, a day to honor the ones who not only have served, but to honor those who are currently serving too.

Veterans Day was originally referred to as Armistice Day.

The armistice was a temporary cessation of hostilities between the Allied nations (Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States) and Germany in World War 1.

Nineteen years later, on the same date the armistice was declared, Nov. 11, 1938, Armistice Day became a legal federal holiday in the United States.

It was World War II that ultimately changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day, in order to honor all who served, not just the ones from World War I.  This was declared on June 1, 1954.

Ms. Mary Riley, math teacher, served in the Air Force for 14 years. She said the national holiday is a good day to honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces.

“Veterans Day is basically a day to remember all those who sacrificed, whether they died in combat or were drafted,” Riley said. “It’s a day to remember all those who have sacrificed for our freedom.”

Serving in the armed forces affects more than just the service member — it affects those close to them too.

Junior Nanette Longest has two parents currently serving in the military.

Her mom has been in the military for 18 years and her dad joined before she was born. Her parents’ love story began in the military, and being in a military family alters her life frequently.

“We move a lot,” Longest said. “I’ve gone to at least six different high schools already throughout the United States, and we went around Europe.”

Mr. John Hall, English teacher, has served over 25 years in active duty and as a reservist across the globe, supporting both war time and peace missions in the Army.

Hall said that Veterans Day receives more attention in different parts of the country.

“Having taught in both the North and the South,” Hall said, “Veterans Day is more celebrated in the South, far more.”

On this day, it is hopeful that we pay special thanks to not only those who have served, but to those who are putting themselves in harm’s way by serving now.