Local events set to honor veterans Tuesday and Wednesday

Flags fly over Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2657 in Fulton.
Flags fly over Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2657 in Fulton.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS/FR156687 AP

In this combo photo of images taken in February 2010, the drivers and their cars in the starting field for the Daytona 500 NASCAR auto race are shown at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The drivers are, from top, Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, and Kasey Kahne.

Although the Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, technically ended World War I, the day that has been set aside in observance of the nation's veterans falls on the day of armistice, "or cessation of hostilities," which went into effect seven months earlier on the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month."

The following November, that of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first official Armistice Day with the following statement, "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 nations..."

The day that was initially set aside in recognition of veterans of WWI, in 1954 became inclusive of all veterans with the advent of the second world war and the subsequent fight in Korea. Thus the 83rd Congress officially struck the word "Armistice" and replaced it with the word, "Veterans."

The following is a short list of Veterans Day events that are scheduled throughout the community over the next two days.

At 5 p.m. today, the Daughters of the American Revolution-Charity Stille Langstaff Chapter will host a "Wreath Laying Ceremony" in front of the Callaway County Courthouse to honor fallen Vietnam soldiers.

Then on Wednesday morning, the North Callaway High School's Social Studies Department is inviting Veterans and their families to a Veterans Day breakfast and assembly.

A complimentary breakfast will be served in the high school cafeteria beginning at 7:15 a.m. with an assembly following at 8:30 a.m. in the gym.

Later Wednesday, the Historical Society Museum will host an open house for our Veterans at 513 Court Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vietnam Veterans will be presented a 50th anniversary commemoration lapel pin. This event is sponsored by the DAR and the Kingdom of Calla- way Historical Society.

Wednesday night, American Legion Post 210 will host the 96th annual Veteran's Banquet at the Fulton Senior Center at 6:30 p.m. Army Colonel Chad Skaggs of Huntsville, AL will be speaking. Skaggs is a 1986 graduate of New Bloomfield High School. For information call 642-8360 or 642-5479.