Veterans Memorial Plaza is shown Nov. 11, 2020, with

Veterans Memorial Plaza is shown Nov. 11, 2020, with fall colors starting at the Commemorative Area at Fort McCoy, Wis. The 900 block of the installation, the Commemorative Area, and the 11-acre area surrounding it are at the hub of the fort’s history-preservation efforts. Veterans Memorial Plaza is a tribute to all of the men and women who have served the nation during each era of Fort McCoy’s history. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, history shows. More than 116,000 Americans died in World War I defending the lives and freedom of the United States’ European allies. The following year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration to honor the Soldiers who fought in that war, and the day was originally known as Armistice Day. Nov. 11 became a federal holiday in 1938, and in 1954 Congress decided to change the day to Veteran's Day. This was because they wanted to honor the veterans of all wars including World War II and the Korean War. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)