Veterans Day is both for the living and the deceased. As we thank our service men and women for their service, courage and sacrifice, we also pay homage to the memory and legacy of veterans who are no longer with us.
Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, in recognition of the armistice reached at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 that halted the fighting in World War I. In 1938, Nov. 11 became an official holiday to honor the surviving servicemen of the “war to end all wars” and remember those who had passed. But then there was World War II. And the Korean War. And in 1954, Armistice Day became Veterans Day — an opportunity to thank and acknowledge all veterans.
Every year, we give special acknowledgement to our service members, often with festivities and special offers. Since Veterans Day is on a Saturday this year, several of the events have already passed, but there are still a handful scheduled for today that you can attend:
- The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be making a special stop at Operation Welcome Home from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mylan Park, before it goes to the Courthouse Square downtown from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event at OWH is open to the public and will include a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a bald eagle presentation, performances by the Morgantown High School band, food trucks and tables set up by community organizations.
- The American Legion Post 174 will be hosting a Veterans Day breakfast, where veterans eat for free ($8 for non-veterans), from 9-11 a.m. Post 174 is located at 3470 Earl L. Core Road in Morgantown.
- The Morgantown Community Orchestra will perform its “Fall Concert: Veterans Day” at the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre tonight at 7:30 p.m. The Daily Athenaeum describes it as “a symphony of sounds, including these of history, patriotism and romance.” The concert is free and open to the public. It can also be livestreamed on the WVU Community Music Program YouTube channel.
- In Preston County, the Preston County Honor Guard will host a Veterans Day program at 10:30 a.m. on the lawn of the Preston County Courthouse. The event will include music, readings, guest speakers, a traditional three-shot rifle volley, TAPS, a prayer and the dedication of the completed veterans sidewalk, which is paved with bricks engraved with the names of veterans from all eras.
We would once again like to give thanks to our veterans and active military members for their service and dedication to our country. Happy Veterans Day!
