A salute to our veterans

Maybe you know somebody who served in America's armed forces. If you appreciate what they did for our country, let them know about it.

Sunday, Nov. 11 is the traditional Veterans Day, and Monday will be a holiday for schools, banks and government offices. Originally called Armistice Day, the holiday was created to observe Nov. 11, 1918, which marked the end of hostilities in World War I.

Armistice Day eventually became Veterans Day.

Many men and women have served our country in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. Whether it was in peacetime or during a war, all of them made sacrifices to serve the United States.

World War II veterans deserve special recognition because there was no ambiguity about that war. Our country was brutally attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

The Axis powers- - Germany, Japan and Italy- - were eventually defeated by the Allies, thanks to the men and women who went to war.

Not many of the WWII veterans are still living, but they all deserve recognition for defeating fascism and tyranny. We must never forget to praise their service to America, even after they're gone.

The veterans of Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and both wars with Iraq also served in defense of freedom.

We shouldn't overlook military servicemen and women who also served in Grenada, Lebanon, Bosnia and in other unfriendly regions.

Our country is free because Americans have been willing to fight and die to defend our way of life. No matter your political beliefs, we can be united in appreciating our veterans.