It will be 90 years Wednesday since President Woodrow Wilson signed the resolution establishing the first commemoration of Armistice Day. For Americans, this occasion of, in the words of Wilson, “solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory” is still as current and important today.

Wilson started that commemoration as Americans regarded World War I as “the war to end all wars.” Hostilities in that conflict ended on Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. We know now that was not to be even the last world war, nor the bloodiest conflict. In 1954 Congress made the broadness of the day official, striking “Armistice” from the day, replacing it with “Veterans.”

This year’s national theme from the Paralyzed Veterans Association, “Why I’m Grateful to Our Nation’s Veterans,” is really one we should live each year, and each day.

Locally, there are so many ways to honor what our country’s veterans have provided: parades, programs, dinners. And again, locally, Newberry County is filled with veterans of America’s armed forces, and those in the reserves or active-duty. We can thank our veterans and troops in person, no need to wait for a state-appointed holiday. You can sponsor a meal or a night at the Prosperity “Freedom Isn’t Free” Lodge for a wounded warrior. Opportunities are everywhere to show our gratitude to troops — through thank yous, and through taking special care and advantage of the many opportunities our veterans protect for citizens. We, as Americans can freely move, speak, work, vote, live and love; for that we have our veterans to thank.

The annual Newberry Veterans Day parade rolls tomorrow at 11 a.m. And from there the opportunities just keep coming to thank our veterans and troops, to make the most of our hard-fought freedoms. Make the most of your Veterans Day opportunities, take some time out to share your thanks; for those that have put their “all” on the line for America, it’s truly the least we could do.