Nations honor those who sacrificed their lives in wars on November 11 , 1918 . U.S. military forces , especially those in Iraq and Afghanistan , also were to observe Veterans Day , keenly aware of the costs of war . In many cases services took place for first time without any surviving veterans of World War I . Services mark 91st anniversary of armistice signed between Allies and Germany on Wednesday .
Nations honor those who sacrificed their lives in wars on November 11 , 1918 . In many cases services took place for first time without any surviving veterans of World War I . Services mark 91st anniversary of armistice signed between Allies and Germany on Wednesday .