On Nov. 11, 1921, the remains of an unknown World War I American soldier were buried on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River in Arlington National Cemetery. The solemn ceremony commemorated the end of World War I precisely at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918 — the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Tomorrow, military, diplomatic and political dignitaries will gather there again in an annual salute to the memory of all American service men and women who served during wartime. They will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown in honor of all service personnel who gave their lives in defense of our nation and freedom.

More than 16 million people were killed and 20 million wounded in World War I, including 117,465 Americans killed and 204,002 wounded. The holiday commemorating WWI’s conclusion originally was known as Armistice Day because it was to be the war to end all wars. But it wasn’t the final conflict — more than 60 million were killed in World War II — and so the name eventually became Veterans Day.

Tomorrow, Butler County will conduct its own Veterans Day ceremonies. The highlight, a parade on Butler’s Main Street, starts at 10:40 a.m. at Penn Street and will proceed south to Diamond Park, where a ceremony will occur at 11.

Prior to the parade, the 743rd Bantam Marine Detachment will visit the VA Butler Medical Center for a ceremony that will include a color guard, a firing detail and the playing of taps; and the Butler County Veterans Services agency will host a veterans ceremony at the VA Butler Healthcare auditorium at 9 a.m. The service is open to the public.

Veterans Day provides an opportunity to honor veterans both living and deceased. For veterans of all ages, it’s a celebration of the special bonds forged in military service and shared by all service personnel. For non-veterans it’s a chance express our gratitude and acknowledge our debt to those who served with honor and courage.

It’s an opportunity the public should not overlook .