As the nation approaches the 2016 Veterans Day holiday, many across the installation stood shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow comrades, who have served and sacrificed to secure and protect the freedoms for American citizens.

Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s veterans from several divisions, departments and offices collectively paused and paid tribute to former service members in a “One team, one fight,” display of unity.

Colonel James C. Carroll III, commanding officer, MCLB Albany, addressed one group of personnel who had assembled in Coffman Hall, Building 3500.

“First, I’d like to thank you for what you do here on the installation,” Carroll said. “Next, I want to thank you for your service to our country. I appreciate each and every one of you. Semper Fi.”

For decades the observance, once celebrated as Armistice Day, has been set aside to honor the men and women from every branch of service, who fought during peacetime and wartime.

The celebration of Armistice Day came when then-President Woodrow Wilson dedicated it as an opportunity for “honoring and furthering world peace,” according to the Spotlight on Freedom website, www.spotlightonfreedom.com.

“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…,” Wilson said.

The evolution of Veterans Day was later initiated in a proclamation by then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The first Veterans Day Proclamation stated in part, “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose.”

Find a way to honor our nation’s veterans; show gratitude in some small way for the service and sacrifices they have given to preserve our freedoms, to secure our safety and to defend the liberties we value and enjoy each day.