Marking Veterans Day 2009

Veterans Day is observed on Nov. 11 in the United States to honor veterans of the armed services. The holiday began as a commemoration of the armistice signed in 1918 that ended World War I, also known as the "Great War" or the "war to end all wars."

Wednesday the country honors an estimated 23.2 million military veterans, as well at 1.5 million active duty members of the armed forces and 850,000 reservists.

FOX News reported that this year there is just one American veteran who served in World War I still alive: 108-year-old Frank Buckles, who drove ambulances in England and France after enlisting at the age of 16. Buckles also fought in World War II and was taken prisoner by the Japanese.

Buckles' biography on The Library of Congress describes him as "underage but eager recruit, [who] lied to a military recruiter to get into the Army, then pestered his officers to be shipped out to France."

In June Buckles spoke with FOX News' Chris Wallace about establishing a World War I monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (Watch the interview below.)

According to History.army.mil, on the first anniversary of the end of the war, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day with the following words:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations'"

The day was marked in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday in 1938. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

Europe still marks Nov. 11 as Armistice Day. Nations remember the signing of the armistice that took place on the "11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" in 1918.

Some Americans confuse Veterans' Day and Memorial Day, Military.com reported. The difference between the two holidays is that Memorial Day honors service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle. Deceased veterans are also remembered on Veterans Day, but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.

To mark the day businesses are offering several deals for veterans.

The largest parade honoring veterans is in New York City. This year the Navajo Code Talkers, the elite Marine unit whose unbreakable code stymied the Japanese in World War II, are being honored with a special place in the festivities.

FOX News reported that this year there is just one American veteran who served in World War I still alive: 108-year-old Frank Buckles, who drove ambulances in England and France after enlisting at the age of 16. Buckles also fought in World War II and was taken prisoner by the Japanese.

Watch the FOX News interview with Buckles: