Veterans Day 2017

Veterans sit at the Memorial Amphitheater.

Veterans Memorial - Korean War veterans attend the Veterans Day ceremony at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 11, 2017. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser

Bonds of Friendship - Barbara Stevens, wife of Thomas Stevens, national president of the Korean War Veterans Association, and Michelle WinSook from the Korean War Women’s Veterans Association, hold hands after a prayer during the Veterans Day ceremony at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 11, 2017. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser

A man pins something onto another man's shoulder.

Remembering Their Service - Korean War veterans attending the Veterans Day commemorate Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 11, 2017. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser

At Attention - Coast Guardsmen stand at attention during the Veterans Day Parade, also known as America's Parade, in New York, Nov. 11, 2017. The parade had more than 40,000 participants and is the largest Veterans Day event in the U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Frank Iannazzo-Simmons

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis stands with his hand over his heart with a group of people.

Veterans Day Pledge - Defense Secretary Jim Mattis attends a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Nov. 11, 2017. Vice President Mike Pence presided over the event. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley

Vice President Mike Pence stands at a podium.

Pence Speaks - Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Nov. 11, 2017. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley

Air Force Gen. Paul Selva and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford and their wives stand during a ceremony.

Honoring Veterans - Air Force Gen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, center left, and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, right, attend a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Nov. 11, 2017. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley

Vice President Mike Pence places a wreath on a stand with the assistance of a service member.

Wreath for Veterans - Vice President Mike Pence lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Nov. 11, 2017. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley

Vice President Mike Pence attends a Veterans Day ceremony

Vice President Honors - Vice President Mike Pence, left, Army Gen. Michael Howard, commander of the Military District of Washington, left center, and Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin attend a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Nov. 11, 2017. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley

Airmen and veterans salute during a Veterans Day ceremony.

Saluting Veterans - A veteran holds an American flag during a Veterans Day ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 10, 2017. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9555 took part in the event. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson

Veteran Smile - A Korean War veteran pauses for a photograph before a ceremony in Kihei, Maui, Oct. 13, 2017. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Lisa K. Lariscy

Service members render honors to the American flag.

WWI Memorial - Service members salute during the National World War I Memorial groundbreaking ceremony at Pershing Park, Washington, D.C., Nov. 9, 2017. Construction of the memorial is expected to be completed in a year. DoD photo by EJ Hersom

A row of people holding shovels pose for a photograph.

Groundbreaking Ceremony - Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, fourth from right, and members of the official party break ground for the National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park, Washington, D.C., Nov. 9, 2017. Construction of the memorial is expected to be completed in a year. DoD photo by EJ Hersom

An Air Force training instructor thanks female veterans.

Thanking Female Veterans - Master Sgt. Melissa Beaushaw, a military training instructor with the 331st Training Squadron, thanks female veterans during the Air Force Basic Military Training graduation parade at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Oct. 7, 2016. Photo by Johnny Saldivar

Marines in running wear walk in a line along the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, reading the names on the wall.

Vietnam Wall View - Marines enrolled in the Marine Corps University’s Sergeants Course view the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., Nov. 3, 2017, during a motivational run with Army Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Troxell, the senior enlisted advisor to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique A. Pineiro

A wounded warrior in a wheelchair poses for a photograph.

Heroes Welcome - Veterans, active duty military and civilians welcome wounded warriors from all over the country to Huntsville International Airport in commemoration of Veterans Week in Huntsville, Ala., Nov. 8, 2017. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Teddy Wade

Idaho National Guardsmen carry and prepare to present the colors during a Veterans Day ceremony.

Presenting the Colors - Idaho National Guardsmen prepare to present the colors during a Veterans Day observance ceremony at Gowen Field Memorial Park, Boise, Idaho, Nov. 8, 2017. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. John Winn

A World War II veteran poses for a picture with a young re-enactor.

Photo Op - World War II veteran Ernie Lamson poses for a photo with a young historical re-enactor before a memorial ceremony in Angoville-au-Plain, France, June 3, 2017. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Tamika Dillard

Mirthful Moment - Two D-Day veterans who participated in the liberation of France share a laugh in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, France, June 5, 2017, while attending a ceremony to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of D-Day. DoD photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis C. Schultz

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis speaks with a survivor of the USS Arizona.

Defense Handshake - Defense Secretary Jim Mattis speaks with one of three survivors of the USS Arizona during their visit to the the Pentagon, July 21, 2017. DoD photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Jette Carr

President's Message

"Our veterans are our heroes. Our Armed Forces have preserved the security and freedom that allow us to flourish as a nation. They have braved bitter winters, treacherous jungles, barren deserts, and stormy waters to defend our nation. They have left their families to face danger and uncertainty, and they have endured the wounds of war, all to protect our nation's interests and ideals..."