Why Do We Honor Veterans on November 11?

Today is Veterans Day. Before anything else: thank you to every veteran, and to the families who served alongside them.

Lesa Miller is a REALTOR® and broker in Bloomington, Indiana, who helps buyers and sellers in Bloomington, Bedford, Martinsville and the surrounding towns. Today isn't about real estate. It's about the people who served.

Why November 11?

The fighting in World War I stopped at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, in 1918. For years, November 11 was known as Armistice Day.

In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day, so the day would honor American veterans of all wars.

How is Veterans Day different from Memorial Day?

Memorial Day remembers the men and women who died while serving. Veterans Day honors everyone who served, and it's mostly a chance to thank the veterans who are still with us.

So today, the thank-you can be said out loud, to someone standing right in front of you.

How can you say thank you?

It doesn't have to be big:

• Say it by name. "Thank you for your service, Mike" lands differently than a general thank-you.

• Ask, then listen. Many veterans are glad to tell you where they served, if you ask and have time to hear the answer.

• Write it down. A short note or text to a veteran in your life is something they may keep.

• Remember the families. Spouses and children carry a lot while someone serves.

Thank you

To every veteran in Indiana: thank you. We're grateful for you.

Sources: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, History of Veterans Day and VA News, The difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

Have a question about buying or selling a home? Call or text (812) 360-3863, or visit LesaMillerRealEstate.com/Links.