November 11 is a special day throughout the Western world.  In Europe, the date is known as Armistice Day, which commemorates the cessation of hostilities in World War I (and the groundwork for hostilities in World War II).  In Great Britain and the Commonwealth, the date is celebrated as Remembrance Day, dedicated to the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians in times of war.  In the US, the date is best known as Veterans Day, and the 2008 celebration is looking to be an extra special one, as the identity of the V-J Day kissing nurse, one of the most famous unknown faces of World War II has been discovered.

See the young lady in that famous photograph above by Alfred Eisenstaedt?  Her name is Edith Shain, and she’s the centerpiece in this year’s Veterans Day parade in New York City.  President Bush will celebrate his last Veterans Day in office by dedicating the World War II battleship USS Intrepid as a floating museum.

There are going to be parades and celebrations all throughout the country today, so get out there and make sure you thank your country’s war veterans properly in whatever way you see fit.  While you might not believe in war, we should all appreciate the sacrifices these men and women made and continue to make for our respective countries.  They truly are the few and the proud.

Tags: Veterans Day, Veterans Day 2008, USS Intrepid, Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, holidays, WWI celebration, WWII photo nurse, V-J Day kiss nurse, Edith Shain, Alfred Eisenstaedt

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