November 11 is Veterans Day in the U.S. - a federal holiday to
honor all military personnel who have served the U.S. in all
wars. sun sets behind U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jamie R. Johnson,
a platoon sergeant assigned to Bayonet Company, 2nd Battalion,
327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, as he patrols
Afghanistan's Kunar province, March 17, 2011. U.S. Army photo by
Sgt. 1st Class Mark Burrell This is the first Veterans Day since
the last U.S. troops left Iraq in December. The holiday this
year is also a chance for Americans to thank the rapidly
shrinking population of World War II veterans. The U.S.
president places a wreath every Veterans Day at the Tomb of the
Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Communities across
America traditionally hold Veterans Day observances and
ceremonies. Federal offices will be closed Monday in recognition
of Veterans Day - originally called Armistice Day - was first
observed in 1919. One year earlier, on the 11th hour of the 11th
day of the 11th month, an armistice