“No person was ever honored for what he received,” wrote President Calvin Coolidge. “Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”

Nowhere is that truth more evident than in the service of our nation’s 17.9 million veterans—representing about 6% of American adults. These men and women have given years of leadership, character, courage and sacrifice in service to our nation, and on Veterans Day, we recognize how much we owe them in return.

Commemorated annually on November 11, the holiday now known as Veterans Day was originally called “Armistice Day.” It was the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I at 11:00 in the morning on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, a day that celebrated the hope for lasting peace.

In Britain and some other nations, Armistice Day went on to become Remembrance Day, an occasion for honoring men and women who gave their lives in the line of duty. Today, those honoring the fallen often wear “Remembrance Poppies,” inspired by the first line of a 1919 wartime poem: “In Flanders fields the poppies blow / between the crosses, row on row.”

In the United States, however, the holiday took on a different meaning. In 1954, the name was officially changed to Veterans Day—an occasion for keeping history alive; learning from the hard-won lessons of the past; and honoring the living veterans whose service has shaped the prosperity and possibilities we enjoy today.

However you choose to celebrate Veterans Day this year—a public ceremony, a moment of silence, a donation to charity, or simply a “thank you” to a veteran in your life—we can all do a little to recognize America’s heroes for their hand in writing our nation’s history.

At The Mayflower, we are proud to honor veterans every day of the year, with special appreciation for the more than 60 veterans who call our community home. They have given so much to our country, and they continue to uplift our community as leaders, neighbors, and friends.

This year, we’ll be holding a special ceremony to celebrate our veterans and reflect on the dedication of those who have served. The event will be led by residents and attended by a color guard from the American Pride Squadron of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

Our vibrant community welcomes dynamic individuals from all walks of life, from proud veterans to accomplished world travelers, artists, and industry leaders. To read more about their stories, check out past issues of our Navigator magazine, or get to know our community firsthand by touring one of our stylish model apartments.

Ready to learn more about The Mayflower at Winter Park? Send us a message or give us a call at 407.672.1620 to book your personal tour. We look forward to hearing from you!