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A Weekly Note from Mayor Gary L. Graham
“Traditional Values, Progressive Thinking”
On November 11, Americans across the county will observe our 55th Annual Veterans Day. ~It is important to our country that we remember those men and women, both past and present, who fought, and who currently serve to preserve our freedom and the freedom of others.
America has over 25 million living veterans. These veterans served in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and our current war on Terrorism. We look to these loyal citizens as examples of honor and patriotism and thank them for their dedication and heroism.
The 25th Annual O’Fallon Veterans Day Parade will be held on Wednesday, November 11 beginning at 2 p.m. at Community Park. A ceremony and celebration will immediately follow at O’Fallon VFW Post 805, 221 West First Street.
On Sunday, November 8, 2009 a Veterans Day Program will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Veterans’ Monument, 737 East Wesley Drive. The program will include the recognition of the new inscriptions to the monument, a flag raising ceremony, participation by the OTHS JR-AFROTC Program, Tap Duet from St. Nicholas Parish, Miss O’Fallon Nicole Lambert, and special guest speaker, Brigadier General Michael Stough from Scott Air Force Base, Air Mobilty Command. For more information, please visit the Monument web site at www.ofallonveteransmonument.org. I hope you have
the opportunity to come out and honor our veterans during our two local events.
As we honor our veterans, it is also important for us to contemplate the historical aspects of Veterans Day. Veterans Day occurs on November 11th because World War I ended on that date in 1918 at 11 a.m. It was the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month and became known as Armistice Day. Later, U.S. Representative Edward H. Rees of Kansas proposed legislation changing the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all those who had served America in all wars.
The first Veterans Day parade was held in Birmingham, Alabama in 1947 to honor “All of America’s veterans for their loyal service”. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day, and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace.
Every year the Veterans Day National Ceremony is held on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. At 11 a.m., a color guard made up of members from each of the military services, honors America’s war dead during a traditional ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The President places a wreath at the Tomb and a bugler sounds “Taps”. The balance of the ceremony, including a “Parade of Flags” by numerous veterans’ service organizations, takes place inside the Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb.
I am proud that so many military personnel, both active duty and retired, have chosen to make O’Fallon their home. These dedicated citizens are a real asset to our community and make invaluable contributions to our quality of life. I sincerely thank them for the service to our country and to our community.
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