Veterans Day has been a celebrated holiday for the past hundred years since the Great War. The Great War ended by Armistice Day, “a day filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory…” as President Wilson announced.

Commemorating this event, there was a two-minute business suspension for celebration shortly after 11:00 AM, the time the armistice began on the war front.

The Great War was easily referred to as the “war to end all wars,” as this was the first global wartime nations had seen. The US later referred to November 11th as Veterans Day to celebrate the time and effort of those who fought for our country.

Years after signing the Treaty of Versailles, Congress passed November 11th as a national holiday in 1938 to honor those who fought for our country, dead or alive.

As celebrated now, many people visit memorial sites for fallen soldiers and honor through simpler ways.

Visiting local veterans hospitals, writing to troops currently deployed, and participating in the Veterans Day moment of silence are common ways to honor veterans.

As continued over the years, many observe two minutes of silence at 3:11 Atlantic Standard time to honor those who have and are fighting in the US Armed Forces.

Reedy High School has a local veteran who has been teaching in the English and Elective department, Ms. Higgs.

Jamie Higgs is a US Army Veteran who served for four years. She shares her experience while teaching kids at Reedy.

When asked, she describes her years in the Army as “exciting, challenging, and filled with comradery.” Furthermore, she says soldiers have “an unbreakable family bond.”

This bond creates the image that is the Armed Forces, and the brotherhood found in Veterans is admirable.

To celebrate, Higgs “shares memories on Facebook and goes out and eats her free Veteran meal.”

As they honored the national holiday, many restaurants and services offer free meals and other amenities for veterans.

“Taking pride in your country, and helping others,” Higgs explains, means “when you serve, you realize there’s more that bonds us as Americans than divides us.”

Honoring these US Veterans is the least the students and the public can do for people who fight to keep the America we know, safe.