They fight to protect our country, and today, we give them a special salute.

Our veterans make countless sacrifices every day to protect us. These courageous men and women of the armed services go beyond the call of duty to protect our freedoms and ensure we live in a safe country. They frequently must leave their own families to deploy to foreign countries so our families can be protected.

Their efforts are not in vain, and they are not taken for granted. Citizens of this country appreciate and applaud veterans for their fearless defense of this country and other countries.

We show appreciation to them in many ways, but most of all on Nov. 11, which been designated as Veterans Day. This is their day of recognition, and we pause to say a great big “thank you.”

“Nov. 11, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, originally was set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day — the end of World War I, which officially took place Nov. 11, 1918,” according to military.com. “In legislation that was passed in 1938, Nov. 11 was dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day. As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.”

On June 1, 1954, legislation was passed to include veterans of World War II and the Korean War, and Armistice Day subsequently was changed to Veterans Day. In 1968, Veterans Day was changed from Nov. 11 to the last Monday of October to give federal employees a three-day weekend. But on Sept. 20, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law returning Veterans Day back to its original date of Nov. 11.

This year, Veterans Day falls on Sunday. Therefore, many events and activities commemorating this important holiday will take place Monday, Nov. 12. Most federal and state offices will be closed Monday in honor of Veterans Day. Celebrations will abound across the country. Many cities will host parades to honor and celebrate our veterans. Flags will be flown throughout the country as symbols of our freedom.

Liberty County, home to so many veterans and active-duty military members, will hold its own Veterans Day parade from 2-4 p.m. Monday. The parade will begin and end at Bradwell Institute and will be hosted by the East Liberty County American Legion Post 321
“This is our fourth Veterans Day parade,” Commander Dennis Fitzgerald said. “Each year, the parade gets larger.”

On Veterans Day, veterans, members of the U.S. armed forces and their families are admitted free to most public lands that are managed by the departments of the Interior and Agriculture, according to About.com. Many restaurants allow veterans to eat free on that day. According to the MilitaryWallet.com, veterans and active-duty members will be able to eat free Sunday at Chili’s, Applebee’s and Olive Garden.

On Monday, veterans and active-duty members can eat all the pancakes they want at Denny’s restaurants. They also can enjoy Golden Corral’s 12th annual military appreciation dinner for veterans, active-duty soldiers, National Guard and Reserves.

In Liberty County, we are fortunate to have many veterans and active-duty soldiers and their families living in the community. They attend and participate in local churches and have become part of these church families. Some churches will honor these veterans and active-duty members with special activities and programs. They will receive flags and buttons, their names will be posted on bulletin boards and in program bulletins, poems will be read, and they will be honored with special luncheons and breakfasts.

On this Veterans Day, don’t forget to let them know they are important in our lives and to this country. To the many men and women of the armed forces, we salute you for your unselfish service and commend you for a job well done.