On this day we recognize Americans from all walks of life who have served their country. People who have given us -- through their sacrifice, courage and dedication -- a precious gift: the freedom and opportunity to live in a land unique among lands.

On this day we honor the men and women who died defending our freedom and those who served with valor and lived.

In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the world celebrated. After four years, the "war to end all wars" was over.

Americans set aside November 11 as Armistice Day to honor the sacrifices men and women made in the war. Those who survived the bitter war marched in hometown parades, and people gathered to hear speeches.

Twenty years after the war, in 1938, Congress designated November 11 as a national holiday. After World War II began in Europe, Americans joined other nations -- great and small -- in another bitter struggle for peace and freedom. After the end of the second world war, we continued to observe Armistice Day on November 11.

In 1953, the citizens of Emporia, Kansas, first called the holiday Veterans Day -- in gratitude to the veterans in their town. The momentum swelled, and a Kansas congressman introduced legislation renaming the national holiday Veterans Day.

Today, there may not be many survivors of that first world war, but we continue to give thanks for peace on the day its armistice was signed.

On this day, we recognize not only those who served in times of battle, but also those who serve in times of peace. They preserve and protect the liberties we guard with ferocious intensity. America has the best-equipped, best-prepared military force in the world, yet there are still obstacles to overcome.

Men and women lose their lives in training accidents every year. In 1997, Captain Amy Svoboda [Zvo-bow-da], who flew A-10s and Captain Glen Comeaux [Ko-mo], a T-3 instructor pilot, were just two.

There are those who lose their lives in other types of accidents, such as Airman First Class Christopher Rezac [Ree-zack], a firefighter, who died while helping contain a fuel tank explosion near Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.

Whether at home station or on deployment, there is an inherent danger in the job we have, even though the Air Force works hard to instill "safety first" in all we do.

President Bill Clinton has said, "We must resolve to keep the United States the world's leading force for peace and security, for prosperity and freedom. And we know that now, as ever, the burden of doing this weighs heavily upon our men and women in uniform."

On this day we pay special tribute to those men and women who serve in America's armed forces around the world. They perform their military mission whether they are standing watch on foreign soil; involved in humanitarian efforts to bring food, shelter and medical relief to people in distress; or participating in peacekeeping actions in strife-filled areas of the world. They're vigilant and prepared.

Members of the Air Force are celebrating their golden anniversary this year -- 50 years as a separate service, and we're remembering our "golden legacy."

Now it's time to think about the next 50 years, and plan for a "boundless future." In our future is a new vision from senior Air Force leadership, "Global Engagement -- A Vision for the 21st Century." This new strategy charts the course the Air Force is taking to meet the challenges of the future.

Air Force leaders understand that the new strategic vision must meet national security needs, which remain as constant today as they were 50 years ago: to ensure the United States survives as a nation, secure the lives and property of Americans and protect vital national interests.

The Air Force also recognizes the emerging reality that in the 21st century it will be possible to find, track or target anything that moves on the surface of the earth. Air and space power will enable America to hit an adversary's strategic center as well as control the tactical battlefield of any warfare.

Laser-armed warplanes, pilotless aircraft and space-based infrared surveillance systems may sound like futuristic ideas, but they are examples of technology being used or developed by today's Air Force.

We are now transitioning from an air force into an air and space force on an evolutionary path to a space and air force. Space is already linked to military operations on land, sea and in the air. Plus, several other military functions are migrating to space: intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, position location, weapons guidance, communications and environmental monitoring.

Operations that now focus on air, land and sea will ultimately evolve to space. All the services depend heavily on space assets to support their missions.

The Air Force is the recognized steward of space and it will fully integrate Air Force space capabilities in joint efforts to support the needs of the nation. Further use of space will be driven by national policy, international events or threats moving through space. The nation expects the Air Force to be prepared to defend our interests in space when necessary.

The present and future Air Force is a "team within a team" that includes active-duty members, civilian employees, guardsmen, reservists, retirees and their families. Air Force people are the heart and soul of our military capability. No matter what strategy or tactic or new technology advancement outlined in the new vision, people are the most important asset.

The Air Force team is guided by our core values which are fundamental and timeless in nature, and reach across the entire force. Our core values are values for service, values for life and must be reflected in everything that we do. They are integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.

In the Air Force of tomorrow, as in the Air Force of today, these stated and practiced values must be identical.

During the past 50 years, veterans who represent the diversity of America, have shaped the present and future Air Force. As we remember veterans from our "golden legacy," our sights are set on the 21st century. With our plan in place, we have a "boundless future" -- there are no limits.