Vietnam War veteran Jake Thorn (seated) talks to visitors in Aurora, Illinois, in 2013

© Jeff Haynes/Reuter

On a Healing Field for Veterans Day. On a Healing Field for Veterans Day

We're featuring a moment captured back in 2013 of Vietnam War veteran Jake Thorn sitting in a Healing Field display of 2,013 flags in Aurora, Illinois. According to the Reuters photographer who took this picture, Thorn was telling two visitors about his time in the military. Visiting a Healing Field is just one of the ways communities across the country come together for Veterans Day to honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces.

Why is Veterans Day on November 11? It was on this day in 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, when World War I, the 'war to end all wars,' finally ended. Germany and the Allies signed a temporary ceasefire, or armistice. Thereafter this anniversary would be known as Armistice Day and became a federal holiday in 1938. Nine years after the end of World War II, in 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day and expanded its scope to honor all military veterans. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first observance of Armistice Day on November 11, 1919.