Veterans Day message Published Nov. 9, 2006 By Lt. Gen. Gary North U.S. Central Command Air Forces Commander SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Since the initial Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1918, our nation has taken the time to honor those who have served in our military both in peacetime and in war. The original Armistice Day celebrated the day that Germany signed a cease-fire with the Allied powers, officially ending World War I. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson officially declared Nov. 11 as the first official celebration of Armistice Day. He said, "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations." Throughout the years, Armistice Day has changed from honoring those who died in World War I to a day that honors all veterans for their patriotism and their willingness to serve and sacrifice for the ideals that served as the principles of our nation. Throughout U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility, I see these traits in every individual from our battlefield Airmen to our pilots and maintainers on the flightline, our doctors and medical technicians to our command and control heroes and operational staff leaders in the Combined Air Operations Center and everyone in between. Your dedication and willingness to serve in the toughest of conditions stands out in your day-to-day mission. Each of you shares something with those who have served before us. You share the belief that we serve a calling higher than our individual calling - service to our nation. Those who know you, those who work with you and those who care about you are very proud of you. You have chosen to follow a great tradition, and you are serving our country with distinction. Know that America is proud of you. We are as busy now as we have ever been and you - each of you - are making a huge difference in the defense of our country and those ideals we hold so dear. On this Veterans Day, pause to say "thank you" to a veteran. Let me be one of the first to say thank you for your service and dedication to each other, your service, and our great nation...the United States of America!