On Nov. 11, ceremonies will be held throughout the country to remember and honor our veterans, both living and deceased. We will also give our respect and support to our men and women in uniform today, fighting the enemies of our democracy. On this Veterans Day, let us also remember our Jewish men and women who are at the forefront of combat and those who have served our country in the past.

As of today, 30 Jews whom we know of have been killed in combat. Many others have been wounded.

From colonial times to the present, there have been more than one million Jewish men and women in America’s military. Jews have fought in every skirmish, battle, and war defending our country.

Eighteen Jews have received the Medal of Honor, America’s highest award for bravery in combat. Currently, the military is reviewing the cases of about 40 Jews to determine if these heroes were denied the Medal of Honor because of anti-Semitism.

In 1654, when Jacob Barsimson, Asher Levy, and other New Amsterdam Jews achieved the right to do guard duty, it was the beginning of Jews serving in our military.

During the Revolutionary War, Jews served with distinction and honor. Lt. Col. Solomon Bush was the highest-ranking officer in the Continental Army and was decorated for bravery in battle. Francis Salvador was known as the “Paul Revere of the South” and, on Aug. 1, 1776, became the first Jew to die in battle in the Revolution.

Captain Uriah P. Levy was a naval hero in the War of 1812. He wrote many technical journals for training naval officers and is credited for ending the practice of flogging as punishment. Levy bought and restored Monticello, the estate of President Thomas Jefferson, and presented it to the government for posterity.

The Civil War divided not only the nation but also its Jewish population of about 150,000. About 8,500 Jews were in uniform, 6,000 for the North and 2,500 for the South. They were commended by their officers for bravery and intrepidity in battle.

More than 250,000 Jews served in World War I. About 3,500 were killed, 12,000 wounded. They received more than 1,100 decorations.

In World War II, more than 550,000 Jewish men and women served in America’s armed forces. About 11,000 were killed, more than 40,000 were wounded, and they received more than 52,000 medals and citations for bravery.

Jews continued to be active in the military in the Korean war, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Jews have never shirked their responsibilities to defend and fight for our country. They have given the best years of their lives to protect and preserve our democracy and its freedoms. They have given their todays so that our children and grandchildren will have their tomorrows.

On this Veterans Day, in remembering and paying respect to all veterans, let us remember to include our Jewish men and women in uniform.