Veterans Day is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans of all wars.  It is a federal holiday that is observed every November 11th. Here’s the history:

At the beginning of the last century, the most destructive war yet known to mankind was waged with unbridled violence and destruction.  The war, known at the time as “The World War”, or “The Great War” has since been enumerated and referred to as “World War One”

Hostilities began on July 28, 1914 and lasted until November 11, 1918. It involved the Western Allies, (including Britain, France, and Russia) versus the German empire.

More than 70 million military personnel were mobilized in one of the largest wars in history.  

More than 9 million combatants were killed during the war, including over 886,000 deaths from Great Britain; 117,000 brave soldiers and sailors from the United States, and nearly 65,000 from our valiant Canadian allies.  

Armistice Day commemorates the cease fire signed amongst the belligerents.  The armistice called for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, taking effect at the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918.  Today marks the 103rd Anniversary of that event.

 “Armistice Day” was celebrated in the United States every November 11th, becoming a national holiday in 1938.  In Canada the day is known as “Remembrance Day.”

“The War to End All Wars” did not signal the end to this type of human tragedy.  World War II, The Korean War and many wars since have proven this sad fact.  In 1954, with the approval of Public Law 380, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars, and would thereafter be referred to as “VETERANS DAY”.

We, at KSQM, are very proud of our country and we wish to honor all veterans.  This solemn day will include a number of military and patriotic musical selections.  We thank you for listening.