Kirtland Air Force Base -- In November 1919, following the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of what was then known as Armistice Day. In 1954, the 83rd U.S. Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to honor all American war veterans.
There are approximately 23.2 million veterans in the United States and while they represent wars from World War II to today's conflict in Afghanistan, the veterans all have one thing in common -- they have dedicated themselves to the defense of our country
and the concepts of freedom and democracy outlined in our founding documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
And while the conflicts may have been different, and the tactics may have varied, the courage and commitment of all veterans was constant. Whether it was the vastness of the Pacific, the jungles of Vietnam, or the islands of Southwest Asia, each war presented
its own set of challenges.
Today's challenges are much more complex than ever before . . . the adversary may not always be in uniform and the threat may not always be self evident. Yet, our veterans--both those who have served and those who continue to serve in our volunteer force, persevere.
Veterans Day is the one day each year when we should pause and remember those ordinary people -- our neighbors, our friends, our family members - who served our nation honorably and selflessly laying the foundation for the Air Force core values we live by today - Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
I salute all veterans and thank you for your service.