I want to ask all of our Hartselle Enquirer readers this week to say “thank you” to a veteran. Little things like saying thank you really do mean a lot.

Our veterans have given so much for our great country without whom the United States of America would not be as we know it today.

I don’t care what problems the United States has. It is still the greatest country in the world.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities – was declared between the Allied Nations and Germany in the First World War, known then as the Great War.

Commemorated as Armistice Day the following year, Nov. 11 became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

In the United States, an official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, while parades and other celebrations are held in states around the country.

Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day-a common misunderstanding, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans-living or dead, but especially gives “Thanks” to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peace time.

The students at Danville-Neel Elementary School enjoyed celebrating “Red Ribbon Week” last week.

They celebrated the week as follows, Monday – ”Sock it to Drugs” – Crazy Sock Day, Tuesday – Put a Cap on Drugs (Cap or Hat Day), Wednesday – Character Parade Day, Thursday – Back away from Drugs (Wear clothes backward) and Friday – Red Hot against Drugs (Wear Red).

I want to share with our Hartselle Enquirer readers this week the Anniversaries in History for the month of November. They are listed as follows:

• Nov. 5 – Guy Fawkes Day, anniversary of 1605 plot to blow up House of Parliament in London

• Nov. 7, 1942 – American Troops land in Africa.

• Nov. 8, 1864 – Abraham Lincoln reelected President.

• Nov. 10, 1775 – U.S. Marine Corps, authorized by Continental Congress.

• Nov. 11, 1918 – end of World War I on what was then known as Armistice Day, now Veterans Day.

• Nov. 19, 1863 – dedication of National Cemetery at Gettysburg, with Abe Lincoln delivering the address.