Each Wednesday, L’Observateur will recognize individuals and businesses in the River Parishes who have gone “above and beyond” in their efforts to make this a better place to live, work, play and raise a family.

We believe that an integral part of a community’s wellbeing is an attitude and arena where people who do good things … who work to improve life for others … who try to make a difference … are recognized and saluted.

Because this is a salute to members of the community of the entire River Parishes, we solicit your recommendations for groups or individuals to be considered for inclusion.

This week we salute:

• RESIDENTS OF THE SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA VETERANS HOME AND ALL THE VETERANS OF THE RIVER PARISHES.

Today, Nov. 11, the nation celebrates Veterans Day. The holiday was originally created at the end of World War I to celebrate those who had fought in “the Great War.”

Although dubbed “the war to end all wars,” World War I, of course, seemed to mark the beginning of a century marred by conflict. Since 1918, the U.S. has time and again called on the brave men and women of the armed forces to defend the freedoms its citizens hold so dear.

Even today, there are tens of thousands of American troops risking their lives in Afghanistan, Iraq and other far-off locales to ensure the security of this country and the world at large.

Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, in honor of the armistice that ended the combat of World War I. The armistice was enacted on Nov. 11, 1918. The name of the holiday was officially changed to Veterans Day in 1954 so the day would honor veterans of all wars.

In the late 60s, legislation was passed that changed the date of the holiday to the last Monday in October. Louisiana was one of the first states to return the celebration to its original date.

Nowadays, we in the region continue to hold our veterans in the highest regard. So today, stop and take a minute to say a prayer for our soldiers overseas, or better yet, stop in at the home in Reserve and say “thanks” in person.㕻