Watertown American Legion Post 17 Honors Local Service Members with 'Avenue of Flags' on Veterans Day

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - American Legion Post 17 in Watertown will display its “Avenue of Flags” on Nov. 11 to honor all American veterans who have served honorably in the United States military.

Observed annually on Nov. 11, Veterans Day is dedicated to honoring and thanking all military personnel who served the United States across all wars, with a special emphasis on living veterans. While many Americans confuse the observance with Memorial Day—which honors service members who died in service to their country or from battle-related injuries—Veterans Day celebrates all veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

The release encourages residents to give special consideration to those who died in the nation’s wars, veterans who have been disabled, and those currently in hospitals through visits and tangible appreciation. It also calls on Americans to recognize the needs of young veterans readjusting to civilian life by offering personal help and encouragement.

From Armistice Day to Veterans Day

The origins of the holiday date back to World War I, when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time on Nov. 11, 1919. In 1926, the U.S. Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be observed with prayer and thanksgiving. Congress later approved an act on May 13, 1938, establishing Nov. 11 as an annual legal holiday known as Armistice Day.

In 1954, following urging from veterans service organizations, Congress replaced the word “Armistice” with “Veterans” on June 1 so the day would honor American veterans wherever and whenever they served. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the official proclamation on Nov. 8, 1954.

“Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly… Let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain,” Eisenhower stated in the proclamation.

In 1968, the Uniform Holiday Bill sought to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. After the law took effect in 1971, the change caused widespread confusion, and many states continued to observe the holiday on Nov. 11. In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97, returning the official observance of Veterans Day to Nov. 11 beginning in 1978.

National Ceremonies and Ways to Observe

Nationally, official Veterans Day ceremonies center on the memorial amphitheater surrounding the Tomb of the Unknowns. At 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, a combined military color guard executes “Present Arms” at the tomb, a presidential wreath is laid in tribute to the nation’s war dead, and a bugler plays “Taps” before the ceremony continues inside the amphitheater.

According to the release, community members can express their appreciation for veterans in seven ways on Veterans Day:

·         Attend a local community Veterans Day event.

·         Donate to a military service organization.

·         Fly the American flag correctly.

·         Ask a veteran about their time in service.

·         Write a letter to a veteran recognizing their service.

·         Visit a VA hospital.

·         Invite a veteran or military family to visit a national park, where admission is free for all visitors on Nov. 11.