Veterans Day gives Americans a chance to thank those who serve

Last week I received several calls from veterans requesting I re-print my comments about Veterans Day. I sincerely hope this information helps enlighten those who are in the dark about the sacrifice veterans have given to this great country and its people.

In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world rejoiced and celebrated. After four years of a bitter war, the Allied powers signed a cease-fire agreement with Germany at Rethondes, France, bringing World War I to a close.

One year later on Nov. 11, 1919, the United States government set aside Nov. 11 as Armistice Day to remember the sacrifices made by men and women during World War I.

In 1953, townspeople in Emporia, Kan., called the holiday Veterans Day in gratitude to the veterans in their town. Soon after, Congress passed a bill introduced by a Kansas congressman renaming the federal holiday to Veterans Day.

The following information was provided by the U.S. Census Bureau:

There are 26.4 million veterans in the United States; a ratio of about 1 in 8 U.S. civilians. The following is based on single race reporting.

A. 6 percent of civilian veterans are women.

B. Thirty-seven percent of civilian veterans are over 65 years old.

C. Approximately 2.6 million civilian veterans are Black.

D. Approximately 22.6 million civilian veterans are White.

E. Approximately 1.1 million civilian veterans are Hispanic.

F. Approximately 284,000 civilian veterans are Asian.

G. Approximately 196,000 civilian veterans are Alaska Native or American Indian.

The reason I bring up the above information is because we as Americans

have traditionally stepped forward in times of need; willing to sacrifice our vary lives to protect our collective way of life in this country. To this very day we have Americans of every race serving in hostile and isolated locations around the world. Please stop the Veteran you know and give them a hug and tell them thanks for their service to this great nation because without them our freedoms would be lost.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), e-mail them to nwees@hughes.net or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do? For more information about Ed, check him out at NWEES.COM.

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.