Tomorrow is Armistice Day/Remembrance Day/Veterans Day/Victory Day/World War I Memorial Day. The name of this day may be different in different places throughout many nations; but its significance is the same.

At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Great War, World War I, ended. World War I was known as the “war to end all wars” because of the great slaughter and destruction it caused. Unfortunately, the peace treaty that officially ended the conflict–the Treaty of Versailles of 1919–forced punitive terms on Germany that destabilized Europe and laid the groundwork for World War II.

Also unfortunately, we know that many, many more wars came after World War I, and go on today.

“It is Veterans Day. It is a day for calling up those old friends and family members who summoned all their courage to do the right thing as they saw it – for peace or war – in a difficult time. I will call those people in my family today. Thank God there is no Hallmark card for it. We are allowed to speak for ourselves – the simple ‘Today is Veterans’ Day and I wanted to let you know that I remember and appreciate what you did so many years ago for us all.’ It is so welcome a call. It gives such meaning to lives otherwise compromised by the complexities and conflicts of industrial life. I hope you will make such a call today yourself, and will pass along this reminder to others.”
By Doris ‘Granny D’ Haddock.

On this Veterans Day, think of the troops overseas and at home, past and present, who were/are just doing what they see as their duty. They didn’t make the policy that sent them over there, they didn’t give the order to go. They miss their families and friends, they’ve been getting mostly just lip service from the government for their sacrifices, and even if they do make it home, they’ll have lifelong scars from their experience. Check out this story for more: Listening to Veterans By Ted Sexauer, AlterNet.

Chicago will commemorate the holiday at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Soldier Field.