Brave and selfless veterans have been publicly honored since the creation of Armistice Day in 1919.

The focus of the day was applauding those who died in World War I, and it became a legal holiday in 1938.

Nov. 11 was chosen because the worst of World War I fighting ended the 11th hour of the 11th day of November, which is the 11th month, in 1918, according to historical accounts.

It has been observed annually since, as it will be in Salisbury this year, at several events.

On Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., there will be a ceremony featuring patriotic music, prayer and remembrance at the Wicomico County War Memorial, coordinated by the Wicomico County War Memorial Committee.

The memorial is in front of the civic center.

Flags from each branch of the service fly with the U.S. flag and flags representing Maryland, Wicomico County and the POW-MIA.

On the brick wall there are bronze plaques with the names of Wicomico County's fallen veterans from World War II and later. In case of rain, it will be indoors.

See www.wicomicociviccenter.org/about-the-center/war-memorial.

Also on Nov. 11, at 7:15 a.m., the 2015 Delmarva Council Boy Scouts will host the Duty to God and Country Prayer Breakfast, also at the civic center.

Tickets cost $35 each. See dmvc.org/dtg.

Mayor-elect Jake Day will be keynote speaker.

Chris Eccleston, president of Delmarva Veteran Builders and a U.S. Navy veteran, is chairman.

Sir Baden Powell, founder of scouting, was quoted in a news release as calling duty to God “an integral part of the scouting program.”

“There is no religious side to the scout movement. The whole of it is based on religion; that is on becoming aware of God and his service,” Powell said.

There are 10,000 scouts on Delmarva.

Again this year for Veterans Day, Ace Hardware will participate in Operation Gratitude, a program that “seeks to lift spirits and meet the evolving needs of our active duty and veteran communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for all Americans to express their appreciation to our military,” according to a news release.

Every year, more than 150,000 care packages containing food, hygiene products, means of entertainment, handmade items and letters of support are sent to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines deployed overseas.

Packages are also sent to their children and to veterans, new recruits, first responders, wounded warriors and caregivers.

Each package contains donated products valued at $75 to $100 and costs $15 to ship.

Since Operation Gratitude began in 2003, volunteers have packed and shipped more than 1.2 million care packages.