Honoring all Veterans

by Jackie Dorothy

On November 11, we take a moment to pause and thank all our veterans, both past and present, for their service to our country.

Veterans Day, a natio al holiday in America and many other countries, was created in honor of our veterans of the armed forces and those killed in the country’s wars. The observance originated in 1919 on the first anniversary of the 1918 armistice that ended World War I and was originally called Armistice Day.

Known at the time as “The Great War”, World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France.

However, fighting had actually ended seven months earlier when an armistice, a temporary stop to the armed hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

It was commemorated in 1921 with the burial of an unknown soldier from World War I at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Other countries that had lost soldiers in the conflict, such as Italy and Portugal, conducted similar ceremonies that same year.

November 11 became an official national holiday in the United States in 1938. In 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor those who had served in all U.S. wars. Ceremonies are held each year at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and floral tributes are placed on the graves of service men and women and at memorials throughout the country. Naturalization ceremonies have come to be an important part of the day’s activities.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. According to the Department of Veterans Affair, the restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

In Thermopolis, this day is recognized by local VFW Post #2281 with a flag raising ceremony at the VFW club at 11 a.m. At 6 p.m. the VFW will host a free dinner for veterans and their family at the VFW club.

Quartermaster Michael S. Berry explains the importance of the ceremony, “This was the end of the first World War I – it very much embodies the spirit of the veteran. This is our way to honor their service when either he or she is called on to serve and to honor the people who have gone on before,”

The Hot Springs Historical Society will be hosting a special presentation on November 11 at 2 p.m. at the Hot Springs County Museum, 700 Broadway Street. Cheryl O’Brien will be presenting on her book, “World War II POW Camps in Wyoming” and will share a different perspective of what life was like in the POW camps in America.

“This program was chosen specifically to honor all our veterans,” Rick Hudson, President of the Historical Society said. The Historical Society will honor the veterans in a short ceremony led by Hudson, himself a Vietnam Veteran.

“We will acknowledge the veterans at the meeting,” Hudson said. “And it is also appropriate to recognize all those civilians, particularly the family members, who have supported us during and after our military service. We thank them all for their loyalty and support.”

Other events preceding the official holiday include a Parking Lot Parade at Ralph Witters Elementary on November 9 beginning at 9 a.m. and a presentation of three Quilts of Valor on November 10 at 10 a.m. at the school auditorium. The Hot Springs County Museum offers a special rate for Veteran’s and invites the public to their military exhibit honoring Veterans and the fight for freedom.