MORGANTOWN — A 21-gun salute echoed through downtown Morgantown on a chilly Monday morning as the Monongalia County Courthouse Square played host to a brief Veterans Day ceremony.
VFW Post 540 Commander Jeremy Allio said this year holds special significance as it marks 100 years since the end of World War I, known as Armistice Day.
“One hundred years ago, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the Great War, the war to end all wars, finally ended,” Allio said. “Originally created in recognition of the end of WWI, the first Veterans Day was observed on Nov. 11, 1921 in Arlington National Cemetery and was marked by the burial of the unknown soldier.”
The ceremony featured a laying of wreaths by area chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The wreaths represent each of America’s armed conflicts, including the ongoing Global War on Terror.
Seven-year-old Veena Raol was bundled up, a small American flag waving in her gloved hand.
Her grandmother, Rebecca Rice, said she’s made a habit of bringing her granddaughter to such events in recent years.
When asked why, she motioned to the small gathering on onlookers.
“Well, look how many people are here,” Rice said. “The younger generations, some of them are aware because of the recent conflicts. They know what loss is. That’s really hard. Just like Vietnam was very hard for me.”
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