The holiday started out as the day the greatest conflict in human history up to that time ended has morphed into a day when we remember and honor those who gave up part of their lives to protect America’s freedom.
Sunday, Nov. 11, marks the 100th Veterans Day, but it was not always called Veterans Day.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918, the guns fell silent across the Western Front and World War I, a conflict that lasted for four years in Europe, came to an end.
America’s participation in “The Great War” lasted from April 1917 to the end, but the countries in Europe started fighting in 1914.
For more than three decades after the end of World War I, Nov. 11 was known as Armistice Day, marking the end of that conflict.
Congress passed a bill in 1954 changing the name of the holiday to Veterans Day.
Honoring heroes
Carthage’s Rhoda Fairchild Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution got a head start on Veterans Day with their DAR Service Veterans Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Fairview Christian Church.
The group honored 25 local veterans. Most of those honored were Vietnam or Vietnam-era veterans, although they did recognize Helen Hubbard and William Haughawout, World War II veterans.
“The World War II veteran are really special because we don’t have too many World War II veterans around with us still,” said the DAR’s National Defense Committee Chair Ann Garrigues. “Helen just gets around on her own, she’s great. She’s a member of our chapter and she participates a lot in our activities.”
Garrigues is a veteran of the U.S. Army’s Nurses Corps and served during the time of the Vietnam War.
“I don’t call myself a Vietnam veteran because I didn’t serve in Vietnam,” she said. “I’m a Vietnam-era veteran.”
The group honored 25 local veterans, some who served in combat and some who served in the military but did not see combat.
“Some of them were my classmates, some of the ladies were in Nurse Corps, I was Nurse Corps, and a couple of the others were Nurse Corps too,” Garrigues said. “The men, some of them were Purple Heart veterans that saw actual combat in Vietnam. Truly, they are heroes and they were not honored so much in their time, and it’s good that, in small ways, we can just let them know that our freedom is because of their sacrifice.”
Susan Conrace, one of the veterans honored, said this 100th Veterans Day holds special meaning to her, and she worries most people don’t remember the roots of this special holiday.
“It is more special to me because my father-in-law was a World War I veteran and I have a lot of the memorabilia and family records from him being in World War I,” Conrace said. “It means a lot to me and I’m intending to teach it to my children and grandchildren too.”
Veterans Day events
Carthage and surrounding communities will mark Veterans Day on different days since the holiday falls on a Sunday.
• Carthage’s Powers Museum will hold a Veterans Day Flag Raising and Poppy Program from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11. Dr. Rebecca Shriver will talk about the symbolism behind the poppy in World War I.
“Join us at the Powers Museum as we commemorate the centennial of the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany, marking the official end of hostilities on the Western Front during World War I,” the Museum said on its Facebook page.
• Carthage’s Veterans Alliance, which includes the Carthage American Legion, VFW, Disabled American Veterans and other groups, will host its traditional Veterans Day ceremony starting at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, at Carthage’s Memorial Hall.
The event will begin with 30 minutes of music by the Heartland Concert Band, with the ceremony itself starting at 11 a.m.
Local Veteran Jerry Chapman, commander of the Carthage VFW Post, will be the featured speaker.
Area schools will mark Veterans Day on different days.
• Carthage schools are marking Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 12, with a variety of events at the different schools.
• In Sarcoxie, the traditional assembly starts at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 9. Students will make a presentation describing the events of World War I and how the nation marked Armistice Day, as the holiday was known until 1938, then Veterans Day, as it was known after that.
• Jasper schools will hold an all-school assembly in Tabler Gymnasium at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 13.
“Our students will participate in musical selections and tributes as we ponder again on the bravery, sacrifice and patriotism of our great Veterans,” The Jasper School District said in a letter to veterans. “Thank you so much for your service and sacrifice. We at Jasper Schools are forever grateful.”
Did you know?
Established in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson to commemorate the first anniversary of Armistice Day and the “War to end All Wars,” Veteran’s Day in the United States honors our greatest American heroes with a variety of commemorative services as well as free and discounted offers of food and benefits for military personnel and their families. Take time to visit or call the veterans in your life and thank them for their dedicated service to freedom.
Services
November 10, 2018
The 31st Annual Community Veterans Day Parade
Downtown Joplin
10 a.m.
November 11, 2018
Power’s Museum Speaker’s Series: Veteran’s Day
Powers Museum, 1617 W. Oak St., Carthage, MO
1 p.m.
November 12, 2018
Veterans Day Program
Carthage Memorial Hall, 407 S. Garrison Ave., Carthage, MO
10:30 a.m.
Meals
Buffalo Wild Wings (“Wings for Heroes” means veterans receive one small order of wings with a side of fries), Cici’s Pizza (free buffet for veterans), Cracker Barrel (complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake), Golden Corral (buffet for military and vets on November 12th from 5-9 pm), IHOP (free red, white, & blue pancakes), Little Caesars Pizza (free pizza or $5 HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo on Veteran’s Day), Olive Garden (choose from six popular entrees on Veteran’s Day), Outback Steakhouse (“Military Mates” and their families can get a free bloomin onion and drink), Red Lobster (free appetizer or dessert on November 10th or 11th), Texas Roadhouse (choose from 10 lunch offers, including a complimentary beverage), and more listed at veteransadvantage.com.
Other Benefits
Free admission to many federal, state, and local parks. All Federal Park admission fees are waived.
Free or reduced admission to many museums, zoos, aquariums, and amusement parks including the Kansas City Zoo, The World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, and Six Flags St Louis.
Free admission to Historical sites
Free Car Wash at Tommy’s Express Car Wash in Joplin.
