The Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., stands in remembrance of the thousands of lives lost in the southeastern Asian conflict that ended only 35 years ago. Its black granite tells a chilling tale of death and folly, but does little to convey the incredible sacrifice of those who served their time, fought in the streets and the jungles, but who returned, changed but alive.

It is a common failing of American history that those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in serving the nation are given their more-than-justified tribute, but those who wear the uniform with equitable dignity and distinction rarely receive their due praise. This Veterans Day, those brave men and women deserve our sincere gratitude even as the country pauses to also remember those we have lost.

A diminished emphasis on history instruction means that many Americans mark today only as Veterans Day, overlooking its roots as Armistice Day, which marked the end of the First World War. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, much of the world community stopped to reflect on the horror of 20 million lives cut short by the conflict. Together, they could not fathom that such an event might be repeated and longed for a day when war would be relegated to the annals of history.

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