Veterans Day was first known as Armistice Day and was proclaimed on November 12, 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson. Twelve years later, on May 13, 1938, Congress made the 11th of November a legal holiday, which was to be a day dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day.

Fifteen years after being officially regarded as a legal holiday, Al King, a shoe store owner from Emporia, Kansas had an idea to expand Armistice Day to recognize all veterans, not just those who served in World War I. The Emporia Chamber of Commerce followed suit and closed their businesses to honor veterans. A bill was then pushed through Congress and President Dwight Eisenhower signed Armistice Day into law on May 26, 1954. On November 8, 1954 Congress officially changed it to Veterans Day, which has been the name ever since.

So today we recognize our veterans, those who have given their all to protect the greatest country on earth. Ladies and gentleman I bring to you Mr. Ed Rusher who will sing us a song that could become our new anthem, “Aren’t We All Americans”. There is no way that Mr. Rusher honestly believes this is good but I love this country!