Veterans Day

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Ceremonies honoring military veterans highlighted the anniversary of the end of the World War I.

The "War to End All Wars" was declared over Nov. 11, 1918, and many countries established "Armistice Day" holidays to mark the event. Unfortunately, like too many such proclamations, WWI wasn't the final war and the holiday was changed in 1954 in the United States to Veterans Day to honor all military veterans. (Memorial Day commemorates the war dead.)

Among the parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, Veterans Day takes additional special meaning this year. The holiday comes less than a week after an attack at Fort Hood, Texas, killed 12 service members and a civilian and while U.S. President Barack Obama is considering military commanders' requests for additional troops for the fighting in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Census Bureau says there are 23.2 million veterans of U.S. military service.