I’m not good at remembering many birthdays or anniversaries, but the annual observance of Veterans Day, when we honor all living and deceased veterans who served our country, is easy. All I have to do is remember the number 11.

The holiday, originally named Armistice Day, marked the end of major hostilities in World War I, which formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. President Woodrow Wilson issued a message of gratitude to the country on the first Armistice Day in 1919. 

In 1926, Congress formally adopted a resolution calling for the annual observance of Armistice Day as a national holiday. It was renamed Veterans Day in 1954, following World War II and the Korean War.

In keeping with the year-long observance of our country’s 250th birthday, Iowa Farm Bureau wanted to do something special on this Veterans Day to honor farmers who have served in the military. 

This week’s Spokesman features the stories of four Farm Bureau members who are veterans of the armed forces and one active duty service member, ranging in age from about 30 to 85. They raise everything from row crops to cattle to honeybees.

One common thread among all of those we interviewed is how farming experience prepared them for military service and how military service made them better farmers due to traits common to both occupations like leadership, discipline and accountability.  

I hope you’ll take time to read their stories. We know there are many more stories just like these all across Iowa, and we appreciate each and every person who has served our country.