Veterans Day promises to be different this year. Wait, you say. Veterans Day is one of those holidays like the Fourth of July. It always falls on the same day, – the 11th of November. That’s right. Veterans Day is always on Nov. 11. The 11th of the 11th month.

There is a reason why it’s Nov. 11 and not, say Dec. 12 – the 12th day of the 12th month. We used to teach the reason why in schools, but I don’t know if we teach it in American history any longer. This year, Veterans Day will be 11-11-11. That’s enough to make it unusual, but there is another reason why this year is different.

In 2011, it makes 10 straight years of American forces at war overseas. That is the longest stretch of war since Vietnam.

Unlike Vietnam, however, the modern day wars have been fought solely by American volunteers.

The last American war fought by an all-volunteer force was the Revolutionary Way in 1776. Since then, all our wars have been fought with a mix of draftees and volunteers.

While not intending to impugn in any war the service of any veteran, it does take a special individual to volunteer to serve in wartime. All such volunteers know that they will almost certainly be sent into the war zone. That’s what has happened. Still, they sign up.

It’s remarkable, really. When we went to the all-volunteer force structure in 1975, no one knew for sure what would happen. Would be we able to fill the ranks? Would it work if war breaks out?

John Kennedy said that totalitarian systems have one distinct advantage over democratic systems. Totalitarian regimes, like the former USSR, can order someone into the military at any time. We can’t do that unless Congress votes to authorize a draft – something that Congress is loathe to do.

The all-volunteer military continues to perform and perform well. Restore the draft? Not very likely. The all-volunteer “experiment” has passed every test.

Robert Peele

Rocky Mount