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Veterans Day

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Visitors walk through the World War II a day before Veterans Day, in Washington on November 10, 2009. UPI/Kevin Dietsch 
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Published: Nov. 11, 2009 at 8:16 AM
By United Press International

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.

Topics: War in Afghanistan, Veterans Day
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U.S. flags are seen in the rucksack of a soldier with the Army's 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, as he places flags at gravesites in Arlington National Cemetery as part of the Flags-In Memorial Day ceremony on May 24, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. American flags were placed at each of the more than 220,000 grave markers in honor of those who served and Memorial Day. UPI/Kevin Dietshc
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