Veterans Day remembered with ceremony in Washington

Published 3:00 pm Monday, November 11, 2024

By Holly Jackson

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On Monday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., a Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Park in Washington began, marking the 105th anniversary of Armistice Day and 70th anniversary of Veterans Day.

Veteran’s Day was initially called Armistice Day. In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as Armistice Day to honor those who served in the United States military during World War I and promote peace between nations. It wasn’t until 1954 that Armistice Day became Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, Henry Elwood, of Washington, said it was an “honor” to attend the ceremony and know that Americans “still celebrate our victories,” he said. Elwood served in the U.S. Navy.

During the ceremony, veterans were asked to share their names and branch of service. A recording of an interview with Hubert Edwards was played in place of having a guest speaker.

Betsey Lee Hodges, of the local American Legion Auxiliary Post 263, said Veterans Day is a special day for her, because she has a relative or friend in each branch of service. She hopes younger generations will continue to hold Veteran’s Day ceremonies out of respect for the sacrifices veterans have made. “If you knew what they went through; I want them to appreciate that,” Hodges said.

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