11/11/2025
Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11 to honor all military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces—living or deceased, in wartime or peacetime. Its origin and meaning date of November 11 was chosen because it marks the armistice that ended World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The original name was Armistice Day (1919–1954), proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 to commemorate the end of "the war to end all wars" and honor WWI veterans.
It was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to honor veterans of all American wars, not just WWI.
On this National day of gratitude, it is the primary day Americans collectively say "thank you" to the roughly 18 million living U.S. veterans (as of 2025) for their sacrifices—time away from family, physical/mental wounds, and risks to life. It is a day of Remembrance of Sacrifice.
Veterans have served in every major conflict:
World War II (1941–1945)
Korea (1950–1953)
Vietnam (1955–1975)
Gulf War (1990–1991)
Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Iraq (2003–2011, 2014–2020)
And countless smaller operations
President Reagan in 1985 quoted: “It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who sacrificed for our freedom by giving them a day off from work… but it is a small gesture of gratitude for the greatest gift of all—their service.”
We honor every Veteran today. And always!
Melissa Danielson, M. Ed., M.S., MFT
702-339-5663
Melissa@danielsontherapy.com
www.danielsontherapy.com