WARD SENDS: Veterans Day 2009

Americans celebrated Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, commemorating the first anniversary of the end of World War 1 by honoring the nation’s fallen warriors and calling for a lasting peace. Soon veterans became part of the annual event,



By General William E. Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command U.S. Africa Command STUTTGART, Germany Nov 10, 2009
Americans celebrated Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, commemorating the first anniversary of the end of World War 1 by honoring the nation’s fallen warriors and calling for a lasting peace. Soon veterans became part of the annual event, and in 1938 Congress declared Armistice Day a legal holiday. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.



Veterans now number more than 20 million in the United States. Our veterans, past and present, deserve our recognition on this special day.



In this we also remember our newest generation of American veterans and their families.



I salute all our veterans for their important roles in protecting our national security and the security of our allies and friends around the world. It is because of these great men and women that we enjoy the freedom that we have today.



Thank you, veterans, for your patriotism and service to our Nation.



General William "Kip" Ward





More in Media Room
U.S. Africa Command Conducts Change of Command Ceremony
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) held a Change of Command ceremony August 15 at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, as Marine Corps General Michael E. Langley formally transferred command to Air Force General Dagvin R.M. Anderson.
Read more
AFRICOM and Kenya Defence forces issue first-ever African chiefs of defense joint communiqué, setting course for continental security opportunities
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have formally released the first Joint Communiqué to emerge from the African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD), marking a new phase of coordinated action among African and international defense leaders.
Read more
U.S. Africa Command Quarterly Civilian Harm Assessment Report
Read more
More in Media Room
U.S. Africa Command Conducts Change of Command Ceremony
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) held a Change of Command ceremony August 15 at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, as Marine Corps General Michael E. Langley formally transferred command to Air Force General Dagvin R.M. Anderson.
Read more
AFRICOM and Kenya Defence forces issue first-ever African chiefs of defense joint communiqué, setting course for continental security opportunities
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have formally released the first Joint Communiqué to emerge from the African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD), marking a new phase of coordinated action among African and international defense leaders.
Read more
U.S. Africa Command Quarterly Civilian Harm Assessment Report
Read more
More in Media Room
U.S. Africa Command Conducts Change of Command Ceremony
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) held a Change of Command ceremony August 15 at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, as Marine Corps General Michael E. Langley formally transferred command to Air Force General Dagvin R.M. Anderson.
Read more
AFRICOM and Kenya Defence forces issue first-ever African chiefs of defense joint communiqué, setting course for continental security opportunities
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have formally released the first Joint Communiqué to emerge from the African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD), marking a new phase of coordinated action among African and international defense leaders.
Read more
U.S. Africa Command Quarterly Civilian Harm Assessment Report
Read more