The Archdiocese of Detroit expressed gratitude on Veterans Day to those who serve and have served in the nation's armed forces.

The Archdiocese took to social media to express its gratitude to veterans this past Thursday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

"Today we honor the men and women who have answered the call to serve our country in the armed forces of the United States," the Archdiocese said in posts to its Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Facebook post went further, saying, "We thank them for their devotion to protecting our nation and our communities. Join us today in praying for all veterans, that they may be filled with God's love. Lord, on this day, we ask that you bless all veterans, holding them close in the presence of your peace."

The Twitter and Facebook posts also included a card image from the Archdiocese that read "Veterans Day 2021" over an image of a serviceman holding a U.S. flag.

The Archdiocese observance of Veterans Day was one of several in the greater Detroit area, where residents celebrated the day with the 16th annual parade, which included ROTC groups, high school marching bands and military-grade vehicles, according to coverage by the Detroit Free Press.

More than 530,000 veterans live in Michigan, almost 7% of the state’s population, according to Center Square. About 600 of those veterans are homeless and 7.4% live in poverty, the report states.

The Archdiocese of Detroit's ecclesiastical territory covers Lapeer, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Wayne counties.

The Roman Catholic Church also has the Archdiocese for the Military Services, based in Washington, D.C., which provides spiritual services and care to members of the U.S. armed forces. Established in 1985 by Pope Saint John Paul II, the Archdiocese for the Military Services maintains installations in 29 countries and serves more than 1.8 million people, its website states.

Also in observance of Veterans Day 2021, the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center in D.C. received from Knights of Columbus volunteers, some of whom serve in the military, the first of 100,000 copies of the new 6th edition of the Armed with the Faith Catholic prayer book, according to the Archdiocese for the Military Services. Archbishop Timothy Broglio blessed the prayer books, which are to be sent to active-duty U.S. military personnel around the world.