Veteran's Day is right around the corner, a day to honor the men and women of the American military.  There will be speeches and programs and parades, and there should be.

But here are some interesting things about Veteran's Day that you might not know.  

First of all, don’t get Veteran's Day mixed up with Memorial Day.  Memorial Day is to commemorate the people who died in service to our country.  Veteran's Day is to celebrate…and thank…the ones who are alive.

Veteran's Day is celebrated on Nov. 11 because the Armistice that ended World War I was signed on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.  The date Nov. 11 is itself a memorial.  In spite of that, in the ‘70’s some numbskulls decided to celebrate it in October.  But intelligence soon prevailed and it went back to Nov. 11.

On Nov. 11, 1921 an American soldier was buried at Arlington National cemetery.  Since his identity was unknown, the gravesite is called the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and is guarded round the clock.  Since then, other unknown soldiers from various wars have also been buried there.

However, the unknown soldier from the Vietnam war was not unknown for long.  Modern technology made it possible for scientists to identify the remains and they were reburied by the soldier’s family.  Now, instead of an unknown soldier, the crypt cover says “Honoring and Keeping Faith with America’s Missing Servicemen, 1958-1975.”

Finally, if you know a vet, chances are they won’t want you to make a big deal of things on Veteran's Day.  So don’t.  At least, don’t talk about it a lot.  Just tell them thanks and take them out for dinner.  Or take them a favorite treat.  Or call them and just visit awhile.  After all, actions say “Thank You” louder than words.   

And for anyone who might be reading this who is a vet, Thank You.  I know you don’t want a lot of fuss, but it’s important that we fuss a little, because what you did…or what you are doing…is very, very important.

Happy Veteran's Day.