Friends and neighbors,

On Veterans Day, we recognize the courageous and patriotic men and women who have served the United States of America. In Minnesota, we have the privilege to honor the more than 300,000 Veterans who call Minnesota home.

Our Veterans always deserve our gratitude, but this day serves as an important reminder of how much we owe to the bravery of our service members. My daughter, Leah, is presently serving in the U.S. Air Force with 28 years+ of active military service.

To fully understand the significance of Veterans Day, we must look back at the history of the day. On November 11, 1918, a German delegation and leaders of the Allied Powers gathered in France to officially bring an end to World War I. The resulting armistice took effect at the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month of 1918. President Woodrow Wilson then declared November 11 as Armistice Day–a time to honor the Americans who fought and died to help restore peace among nations.

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Congress renamed the holiday to Veterans Day to show respect to all Veterans. For those of us, like myself, who have served, this time has profound meaning. The memories of friends, victories, and tragedies are especially strong today.

I hope this week, and every week, you take the opportunity to express your thanks to those who have contributed so much in service to our country. Of the over 16 million veterans in our country, each of them deserves our special recognition, honor, and gratitude. 

I would like to send extra appreciation to the many veterans in our great District 29. You are an incredible addition to our community and homes. Thank you for your service. 

Contact Me

I want to hear from you, my constituents, on issues that are important to you. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any concerns or ideas you may have. You can contact my office at Sen.Bruce.Anderson@senate.mn or 651-296-5981.