The eleventh day of the eleventh month is a solemn day around the world. Many people call it Remembrance Day. Canadians pause in a moment of silence to recall those who have served and continue to serve in war and conflict.

In Australia, people pay their respects to the soldiers who have died in battle. The United States calls it Veterans Day. The British Commonwealth observes the end of World War One with Armistice Day.

Dads4Kids remembers members of the military with gratitude.

Veteran’s Salute – by Don Mathis

Children join the service;
must be a million reasons why.
Some will lose their lives in war;
most will return alive.

They go in as youngsters,
in their twenties or their teens.
They come out as soldiers,
sailors, airmen and marines.

They may postpone an education
or working in a trade,
but all warriors sacrifice,
including families who wait.

I appreciate our veterans;
they did what they were asked.
They may be young at heart,
but their youth has passed.

We can decorate their graves
after they’re no longer here,
leave a flower or flag by their tomb,
maybe shed a tear.

But we can do something more
for the military who served us.
We can look them in the eye
and thank them for their service.

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Photo by Pixabay.