Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    November 11, 2011

US Honors Military Personnel on Veterans Day

   VOA News
   Paula Davis (L), mother of fallen U.S. Army Private Justin Ray Davis,
   sits alone at his grave alongside hundreds of others in Section 60 of
   Arlington National Cemetery (File)
   Photo: REUTERS
   Paula Davis (L), mother of fallen U.S. Army Private Justin Ray Davis,
   sits alone at his grave alongside hundreds of others in Section 60 of
   Arlington National Cemetery (File)

   U.S. President Barack Obama is leading the nation Friday in honoring
   those who have served in the armed forces.
   To mark the Veterans Day holiday, President Obama will participate in a
   wreath-laying ceremony and deliver remarks at Arlington National
   Cemetery, just outside Washington.
   Later, he travels to the southern California city of San Diego, where
   he will speak on a U.S. Navy carrier, the USS Carl Vinson. He will then
   attend a Veterans Day basketball game on the carrier featuring teams
   from two U.S. universities (Michigan State University and the
   University of North Carolina).
   Veterans Day commemorates the date in 1918 when the cease-fire
   agreement was signed that ended the battles of World War One (("the
   11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month")). It is observed in
   Europe and elsewhere as Armistice or Remembrance Day.
   In the U.S., the holiday comes less than two months before all U.S.
   troops are due to leave Iraq. In Afghanistan, nearly 100,000 American
   service members remain. U.S. combat troops are set to complete their
   withdrawal from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. International forces
   have already begun transferring security responsibility to their Afghan
   counterparts.
   Earlier this month, President Obama issued a proclamation honoring the
   men and women of the U.S. armed forces. The proclamation said that in
   times of war and peace alike, "our veterans have served with courage
   and distinction in the face of tremendous adversity, demonstrating an
   unfaltering commitment to America and our people." He said many have
   made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the country they loved.
   Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has also issued a Veterans Day message
   extending his thanks to troops and veterans. He said the U.S. owes a
   profound debt to all veterans and military families, noting that
   President Obama has designated November as Military Family Month.

.