Monday, Nov. 11 saw a parade, ceremony, retirement of some U.S. flags, a luncheon and an overall feeling of thanks, as Veterans Day was observed in the community.
Starting off with a well-attended parade at 10 a.m. Monday, the entries marched along Pontiac Street to Fish Park, where the VFW Post 2922 hosted a special Veterans Day ceremony. Local Scouts also performed a flag retirement ceremony, an event that features special readings and the burning of retired flags, those that are too worn, faded or tattered to be flown any longer.
There were also remarks from several participants in the ceremony and the VFW Auxiliary members hosted a luncheon for those in attendance.
The goal was to highlight the service of veterans who have served this country, whether overseas or stateside, as all have sacrificed in defense of our nation.
Veterans Day is a byproduct of the end of World War I, when Germany and the Allied Nations signed the Treaty of Versailles, formally ceasing fighting and establishing terms of peace. On November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the signing of the treaty, the first Armistice Day events were held. Armistice Day was initially a legal holiday to honor the end of World War I only, states History.com. The United States Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday starting in 1938. However, in 1954, after the country had been embroiled in both World War II and the Korean War, Congress amended the Act of 1938 by renaming the commemoration ‘Veterans Day’ to honor all veterans.
According to Military.com, for a short time, thanks to the Uniform Holiday Bill, which in 1968 established three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating national holidays on Mondays, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October – the first being October 25, 1971. However, many people did not agree with this decision, continuing to honor the holiday on the original date. In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a new law that returned Veterans Day to November 11 beginning in 1978. Since then, parades, memorial events, volunteer efforts, and other celebrations revolving around veterans have been held on November 11.
