Dr. Jim Surrell, Journal columnist

Yesterday, on Nov. 11, we celebrated our annual U.S. Veterans Day. The date of Nov. 11 is very significant because it was on 11/11/1918 that an armistice was declared between the Allied Nations and Germany.

Fortunately, this armistice was the beginning of the end of World War I. This armistice went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, is historically considered to be the date of the end of WWI.

In 1938, Congress made the date of Nov. 11 a legal federal holiday. What we now refer to as Veterans Day was originally known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was initially intended to be a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I.

The intent of this day has always been to set a specific annual date for all of us to remember and honor our veterans.

Following WWII and the Korean War, the concept of our celebration of Veterans Day continued to evolve. Of course, World War II had required the greatest mobilization of U.S. military personnel in our nation’s history.

Many of our veterans also served in the American forces that fought in Korea. In 1954, the Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by removing the word “Armistice,” and replaced it with the word ‘veterans.” With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became the official day to honor American veterans of all wars.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who previously served as a WWII General, officially signed this legislation into law in 1954.

Veterans Day continues to be observed in our great country on Nov. 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. This date to observe Veterans Day on Nov. 11 preserves the historical significance of the date, and reminds us all to focus attention on the very important contributions of our United States veterans. Veterans Day is a special day to celebrate and honor all of America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for all of us who are blessed to be here in the United States.

Of course, we all need to recognize and appreciate all our veterans who serve our country. We need to thank our veterans for their service not only on our annual celebration of Veterans Day, but all year long. It is very important to show our appreciation to our veterans and sincerely recognize their contributions to preserve our liberty and freedoms that we are so blessed to have here in our great United States of America.

Let us never forget that our military veterans gave so much to all of us by their personal sacrifice to serve our country. Of course, our veterans may have served us in all the various branches of our military, including the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. It also so very important for us to understand that all who have served us in the military should be described as “All Gave Some.”

We also need to be very aware of those who gave their life in service to our country should be described as “Some Gave All.” Let us always remember, all year long, to frequently give thanks to our veterans and their families for their service to our great United States.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of “The ABC’s For Success In All We Do” and the “SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet” books. Requests for health topics for this column are encouraged. Contact Dr. Surrell by email at sosdietdoc@gmail.com.