Wednesday, November 11 is
Veterans Day. What are you doing to commemorate the service provided by these men and women?
The MCPS
Christiansburg High School supports a parade in the downtown area each year, including a speaker and dedication at the war memorial in the Town Square. The parade is scheduled for
10 am along Christiansburg's West Main Street. Each year, as veterans age and pass away, the group has gotten smaller. The parade becomes more brief -- yet this may begin to change as the ranks swell again due to the wars we're involved in now see wounded warriors returning.
This annual event is done in
partnership with
American Legion Post 59 and Veterans
of Foreign Wars Post 5311. This year's guest speaker is Lt. Col. Antonio Munera.
The Montgomery County-Radford City-Floyd County NAACP Branch held its second annual Veteran's Day Celebration on Nov. 8 at Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church, with Radford's Admiral Julius S. Caesar speaking about "Diversity in the Military".
This national and state holiday was first established in 1938 as "
a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace" and was changed from Armistice Day to Veteran's Day in 1954. It was not until 1948 that segregation ended in the US Armed Forces (through a presidential executive order by Harry S. Truman, which some claimed cost him reelection).
State and local government offices are closed in observance of Veterans Day, including Montgomery County offices, the DMV, public libraries and town offices.
Hopefully, anyone enjoying a paid holiday will take time to honor those who have provided us peace at home by
recognizing surviving military veterans who served in World War II, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam War, the Gulf Wars and current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are many volunteer opportunities available at the
Salem Veterans Administration and numerous local families who currently face special challenges as loved ones are on
active duty who could benefit from our community's support -- especially on Veterans Day.
Can't make the parade? Then consider signing up for a volunteer activity or supporting a military family some day soon to honor them and the goal of world peace.
So if you have the privilege of having this day off from work, or you have or know of a "local kid" who is now serving, or you know someone who served during a war American troops were deployed in sometime over the 65 years -- how will you
honor them on this special day?