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Fly flags proudly on Veterans Day
Flags will be flying high this Friday as Jackson County joins the nation in commemorating Veterans Day.
Nov. 11 is the anniversary of the Armistice which was signed in the Forest of Compiegne by the Allies and the Germans in 1918, ending World War I after four years of conflict.
That day began with the laying down of arms, blowing of whistles, impromptu parades, closing of places of business. All over the globe there were many demonstrations; no doubt the world had never before witnessed such rejoicing.
In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued his Armistice Day proclamation, which set the tone for future observances:
“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 nation.”
In 1927 Congress issued a resolution requesting President Calvin Coolidge to issue a proclamation calling upon officials to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on Nov. 11 and inviting the people to observe the day in schools and churches. But it was not until 1938 that Congress passed a bill that each Nov. 11 “shall be dedicated to the cause of world peace and ... hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day.”
That same year President Franklin Roosevelt signed a bill making the day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. For 16 years the United States formally observed Armistice Day, with impressive ceremonies. At 11 a.m. all traffic stopped, in tribute to the dead.
After World War II, there were many new veterans who had little or no association with World War I. The word, “armistice,” means simply a truce; therefore as years passed, the significance of the name changed. Leaders of veterans’ groups decided to try and make Nov. 11 the time to honor all who had fought in various American wars, not just in World War I.
Congress changed the holiday’s name to Veterans Day on May 24, 1954. In October of that year, President Dwight Eisenhower called on all citizens to observe the day by remembering the sacrifices of all those who fought so gallantly.
Let’s continue that tradition Friday and make time to join local veterans for a noon ceremony at the old Courthouse. The Rev. Walter Middleton, a prisoner of War during World War II, is among those who will be honored.
We owe him, and all veterans, our gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
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