Sunday, November 8, 2009 9:57 PM CST
Public invited to community Veterans Day events
By the JG/T-C
American veterans groups have a 90-year tradition of celebrating Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day.
On Nov. 11, 1918, World War I ended and produced worldwide celebrations of the cease-fire for the war that claimed millions of lives, mainly in Europe. But the first organized Armistice Day celebrations across this country occurred 90 years ago this week, helping making that joyous day a holiday for veterans.
That tradition continued without interruption when Nov. 11 was renamed Veterans Day in the 1950s to recognize the sacrifices of veterans of all wars. Though the holiday date is sometimes changed to result in three-day weekends, the tradition of Nov. 11 is still strong with many generations of veterans.
On Wednesday, the Paul McVey Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1592 in Charleston will hold two events for Veterans Day.
At 8:30 a.m., the Charleston VFW post will conduct a veterans service at Hilltop Nursing Home in Charleston to honor veterans in that facility. Later, the annual Veterans Day service will start at 11 a.m., the time when World War I officially ended in 1918, on the northeast corner of the Coles County Courthouse Square. Post 1592 commander Ron Krukewitt will be the keynote speaker.
In Mattoon, American Legion Post 88 and VFW Post 4325 join together for leading the annual Veterans Day parade through the city before they hold their annual Veterans Day services at the corner of Sixth Street and Broadway Avenue.
Parade entries are to line up from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., and same-day entries are welcomed. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. along Western Avenue at 21st Street. The parade will proceed to 19th Street, then onto Broadway Avenue and continue to the west edge of Peterson Park. The public is invited.
The parade in Mattoon steps off rain or shine.
A Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony is also scheduled Wednesday on the campus of Eastern Illinois University.
Community residents are invited to join a host of individuals and groups, including the Student Veterans of Eastern and other student, staff and faculty veterans, at 10:30 a.m. in front of Old Main.
In case of inclement weather, that ceremony will be moved inside the building. Lt. Col. Stephen Knotts, a faculty veteran, and Tyler Linder, an EIU student veteran, will be among those making remarks. EIU President Bill Perry is also scheduled to speak.
The public is invited to attend. Those going to the ceremony are welcome to park in the “X” lot east of Old Main, according to EIU officials.
There are other veterans-sponsored activities in the area for Veterans Day. The American Legion Post 515 of Martinsville will host its annual Early Bird Breakfast on Wednesday morning. The breakfast is free to all members and auxiliary members of American Legion Post 515 who have paid their 2010 dues.
Other area military veterans are also invited to eat for a small donation. Breakfast will be served from 6 to 9 a.m. and will include sausage and gravy, fried potatoes, biscuits, fruit juice and coffee.
The Humboldt Wall of Honor will be open for Veterans Day. The wall, located at the Humboldt Township Building, will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in honor of the holiday.
Refreshments will also be available.
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TetVet68 wrote on Nov 9, 2009 7:34 AM:
America's oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, living his 101st year is former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Ordnanceman (ACOM), later wartime commissioned Lieutenant John W. Finn, U. S. Navy (Ret.). He is also the last surviving Medal of Honor, "The Day of Infamy", Japanese Attack on the Hawaiian Islands, Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
(Now deceased) 'Navy Centenarian Sailor', 103 year old, former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Radioman (ACRM, Combat Aircrewman), later wartime commissioned Chief Warrant Officer Julio 'Jay' Ereneta, U. S. Navy (Ret.), is a thirty year career veteran of World War One and World War Two. He first flew aircrewman in August 1922; flew rearseat Radioman/Gunner (1920s/1930s) in the tactical air squadrons of the Navy's first aircraft carriers, USS LANGLEY (CV-1) and USS LEXINGTON (CV-2).
Visit my photo album tribute to these centenarian veteran shipmates:
http://news.webshots.com/album/123286873BFAAiq
http://news.webshots.com/album/141695570BONFYl
San Diego, California "