There are over 18 million veterans living in the United States. Today, Americans will take time to honor our military veterans for their patriotism, braveness, willingness to serve and the sacrifices they’ve made to ensure our freedom.

Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day. World War I — known as the time of “The Great War” — officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France.

However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations in Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

An Act (52 Stat, 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday — a day to be dedicated to the cause of the world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.”

Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.”

With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

We know these people. They are our family members, our friends and our neighbors and whether it was during times of war or in times of peace, they took a stand and served the United States with honor. It’s only fitting that we honor them for their service.

Many confuse this holiday with Memorial Day when we honor those who sacrificed their lives for their country.

But this month’s recognition is for all who have served, from generals all the way to grunts, every man and woman who has enlisted knowing that doing so may result in them going into battle.

The millions who have served through the years, so that millions more do not have to.

In Boulder County, Longmont will celebrate Veterans Day with an annual parade through downtown.

And the city’s American Legion Post 32 will hold three events, including a Veterans Day dinner banquet will be served at 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Post 32.

We encourage all who are able to do so to attend. CU Boulder will host a Veterans Day Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. at the Memorial Center.

Additionally, we thank all of the local men and women who have served for their service.

If you happen to see one of them we encourage you to thank them, and any other veterans you may know, for their service, not just on Veterans Day but every day.

— The Journal-Advocate (Sterling, Colo.)