Local VFW prepares Veterans Day parade, celebration
The Veterans of Foreign William Davidson Post 2381 Wars takes the lead in the city of Susanville’s Veterans Day celebration Monday, Nov. 11.
The annual Veterans Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. at the Lassen County Fairgrounds and the procession travels on Main Street from the fairgrounds to the Veterans Memorial Hall.
Following a brief ceremony upstairs at the hall that includes the presentation of proclamations by the city of Susanville and Lassen County, the VFW will serve a free lunch to everyone in the community downstairs in the hall.
Susanville Symphony maestro and Lassen High School music teacher Ben Wade will play TAPS.
The Lassen High School cheerleaders will pass out the programs for the event and serve the free community lunch.
Law Enforcement Day
At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, the VFW and the American Legion will honor first responders at the annual Law Enforcement Day. Coffee and donuts will be available.
Brief history of Veterans Day
According to the Veterans Administration, World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of 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, Nov. 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
Veterans Day continues to be observed on Nov. 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to Nov. 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 November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
In 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the Veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American Veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” which stated: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all Veterans, all Veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”
