Ceremonies, parades, dedications and other events conducted nationwide by members of The American Legion Family.
Whether it was hosting an event, sponsoring a parade, dedicating a new memorial or some other activity, The American Legion Family did what it has done for decades: ensure that Veterans Day and its meaning were brought to the forefront of their communities on or around Nov. 11.
While this by no means provides a complete picture, we’ve put together a small snapshot of how the Legion Family commemorated Veterans Day. And we want to learn about additional efforts.
Please share what your post, squadron, unit or Riders chapter did to observe Veterans Day on legiontown.org. Share with others in the Legion Family the photos and stories from your efforts.
Alabama
In Fairhope, American Legion Post 199 hosted its annual Veterans Day celebration, bringing in dozens of community members to take part in the observance. But it also marked the post hosting an event at its facility following having to rebuild after Hurricane Sally. The post’s new 7,300-square-foot facility hosted its first public event since the hurricane five years ago. Various community leaders, including Mayor Sherry Sullivan, were in attendance for the event.
“We’ve been meeting in other places for, well, ever since Sally and having our own home is special,” said Post 199 Legionnaire Bill Lees.
The ceremony was followed by a free barbecue meal for veterans hosted by Post 199.
California
In Stockton, Carl Ross American Legion Post 16 teamed with the Stockton Chamber of Commerce for an inaugural Veterans Day event at the Weberstown Mall. Close to $1,500 in gift cards, donated by local businesses, were available for veterans to choose from.
Georgia
In Statesboro, American Legion Dexter Allen Post 90 hosted its annual Veterans Day program at the Averitt Center for the Arts’ Emma Kelly Theater that included guest speakers and was dedicated to former post member Bob Marsh, a U.S. Navy veteran who passed away Oct. 14 at age 78.
"Americans never forget," Post 90 Commander Bobby Godwin said. "This day is a special day to honor the service and sacrifice of all who have worn the uniform and taken the oath to defend the Constitution of the United States, and we also serve our communities."
Illinois
In Edwardsville, American Legion Post 199 sponsored the annual Veterans Day parade and then hosted a meal following the parade. Both the parade and the post’s celebration brought in large crowds.
Past Post 199 Commander Don Takacs, a Vietnam War veteran, served as the parade’s grand marshal. “When they asked me to be the grand marshal, I accepted right away, and I was pleased to be part of the parade again this year,” he said. “It was another great parade, and the turnout for the celebration may be the best I’ve seen so far.”
Post 199 Commander Doug Thompson said the post stages the event “to ensure that America never forgets our veterans, and this day is dedicated to those who have served. There’s no better way to thank a veteran for their service than to let them know that we have their back, and if anyone needs help, please reach out to us.”
Indiana
In Brookville, Bernard Hurst American Legion Post 77 provided a breakfast for area veterans and then hosted a Veterans Day ceremony before dedicating its new Veterans Memorial Monument. The event was attended by various local and state-level political leaders, including State Rep. Lindsay Patterson.
The keynote speaker was retired U.S Army Major Shirley May, who served 40 years in the military. She praised The American Legion, saying it “has always been the heart of our community. It is more than a building; it is a family.”
Following the unveiling of the new monument, Post 77 Adjutant Faith Jones praised those who helped make it a possibility. “This monument stands as a lasting tribute to all answering the call to duty, defending the principles on which our nation was founded,” she said. “It is a place of remembrance and respect where future generations may cause to reflect on the price of freedom and the character of those who have safeguarded it. Their service is often given in silence and in sacrifice. It embodies the highest ideals of patriotism and duty. May this monument forever remind us of their bravery, preserve their legacy of service and inspire us all to honor their commitment to country.”
Iowa
· In Indianola, American Legion Post 165 held a flag raising ceremony, in addition to the playing of Taps, at the Junior Edwards statue at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery. The Veterans Day ceremony included patriotic songs performed by local school bands and musicians, as well as awarding recipients of a Quilt of Valor.
· In Newton, American Legion Post 111 hosted a Veterans Day service that included retired Army First Sgt. Craig Staker as guest speaker. The Bronze Star recipient shared how he lost two comrades to suicide bombings while serving in Mosul, Iraq, in late December 2004.”If you walk out of here with anything today, I want you to know Oscar Sanchez’s name and Capt. William Jacobsen’s name,” he said. “I don’t care about me. Remember them.”
Kentucky
In Calvert City, American Legion Post 236 teamed with various other veteran service organizations to conduct the annual Marshall County Veterans Day event at the Jerry G. English Veterans Plaza at Mike Miller Park. Singer/songwriter and U.S. Army veteran Tyler Stevenson served as the ceremony’s guest speaker and talked about the meaning of Veterans Day.
“Veterans Day is simple in its purpose, but powerful in its meaning,” he said. “It’s about two words we could never say enough, ‘Thank you.’ Thank you to the men and women who raised their right hand and swore to protect and defend this country. Thank you to those who left home, not knowing when, or if, they’d return, but who went anyway. Thank you to everyone who’s worn the uniform of the United States military, in war and in peace, across generations and around the world. Each of you made a choice, a choice of courage, of service and of sacrifice.”
But Stephenson said thanks shouldn’t start and stop with Veterans Day. “Gratitude shouldn’t end with this ceremony,” he said. “It should live on in the way we treat one another and how we support veterans as neighbors, coworkers and friends. It’s making sure no veteran ever feels forgotten, unseen or alone. It’s making sure our words are backed by actions through jobs, health care, mental health support and simple kindness. Because the best way to thank a veteran is to live in a way that honors what they fought for. To be good citizens, good neighbors and good stewards of the freedom they protected.”
The ceremony concluded with American Legion Post 236 delivering a 21-gun salute and playing Taps.
Massachusetts
In Haverhill, Wilbur M. Comeau Post 4 Commander Timothy Dougherty served as master of ceremonies at the Veterans Day ceremony that saw veterans, Scouting groups, Haverhill Police and Fire departments, Haverhill High School Junior ROTC and city officials march from Mill Brook Park to Washington Square.
American Legion Department of Massachusetts Historian Cindy Lacoste was the featured speaker. “Military service by its nature is temporary, but the legacy of that service however can benefit generations for centuries,” she said. “It is the legacy of those who have worn the uniform of the United States, a legacy of freedom.”
Lacoste also asked those in attendance to reach out to veterans in their community. “Before you leave here today, I have something to ask of you. Find someone here or a veteran you know and ask them to tell you their story,” she said. “Every single woman and man who raised their right hand and pledged to become a soldier, sailor, marine, air force, any veteran, to risk their life for their country as needed did it for a reason. Ask them why.”
Following the ceremony, Post 4 hosted lunch.
Nebraska
In North Platte, American Legion Post 163’s ceremony started precisely at 11 a.m. to honor the time of the cease fire to end World War I. Dozens of the post’s Legion Family members attended the ceremony, along with members of the community.
“We believe our determination made us better warriors because we fought with our minds and our hearts as well as our bodies,” Post Commander Jason Bayne said. “We continue our endeavors on behalf of an honorable world peace with a feeling of profound gratitude to God, and to the men and women who gave their lives as their part of the cost of this noblest of causes.
“In time of peace we can use the ennobling virtues of war and put behind us its ugliness and suffering. In peace we shall go forward together to scale new heights of achievement in unity of purpose… We shall move forward in the sight of God as a strong nation in a peaceful world.”
An honor guard fired a rifle salute, while Taps was played. The program was followed by a ham and beans and chili lunch.
Ohio
In Van Wert, American Legion Post 178 Commander Randy Matthews used the post’s ceremony as an opportunity to remind attendees of how few Americans actually take the oath to put on their nation’s uniform.
“It is a small and talented group that enables our communities to function,” he said. “If you surveyed your local police or fire departments, you’d find a disproportionately high percentage of their numbers are veterans. When emergencies hit, there’s a good chance it’s a veteran who’s the first to respond. Americans are fortunate to have people willing to volunteer to risk their lives for us.
“When a veteran leaves the military, he or she is likely to be a key contributor to our communities. They may be a schoolteacher, construction worker, or a first responder. They may be a business owner or real estate agent, medical professional but regardless of occupation, veterans take a mission seriously. They vote in higher percentages than non-veterans, they’re more likely to volunteer in communities and less likely to live in poverty.”
Pennsylvania
In Gettysburg, American Legion Post 202’s annual Veterans Day program, presented by the Allied Veterans Council of Adams County, included local leaders, live music, and the reading of the names of 160 veterans who have died within the last year, ringing a bell for each name, by Post 202’s honor guard.
“Other days during the year recognize the military. Today is for living veterans who are still serving their communities. It’s a day to thank them,” said honor guard member Rick Pelc.
Adams County Director of Veteran Affairs Stan Clark also spoke at the ceremony. “It’s important to honor the community’s veterans,” he said. “It’s nice to see people in the community support veterans and their sacrifices.”
Texas
In Temple, American Legion Post 133’s ceremony featured guest speaker David Sage, who served in the U.S. Army, eventually serving as Fort Hood executive officer to deputy chief of staff for operations and armored brigade operations officer. The ceremony was followed with a barbecue lunch that included local Scouting America troops helping serve food.
West Virginia
· In Follansbee, a Veterans Day service conducted by American Legion Post 45 also served as a venue to announce the post is relocating to a donated property in December. The post’s current facility’s roof collapsed in April, causing its members to meet in other locations since then. The Veterans Day ceremony itself featured guest speakers, including Ohio Sen. Laura Wakim-Chapman, whose father served in the military. She spoke of missing him while he was deployed. “But I was lucky,” she said. “My dad always came home. Some children were not so fortunate.”
· In Wheeling, American Legion Post 1’s Veterans Day ceremony took place at WesBanco Arena and featured multiple guests, as well around 150 students and chaperones from Weirton Madonna High School. Multiple veterans were recognized, including 101-year-old World War II U.S. Navy veteran Lt. Joseph Gompers. Guest speaker Frank Vitale, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for West Virginia, urged attendees to remember how they have achieved the freedom they have. “Our nation has endured because men and women have always been willing to stand watch, willing to face danger so that others may live in peace,” he said. “Let us set aside division – which we have plenty of in this country today – and recommit to the principles that bind us together: liberty, justice and mutual respect. Because when America stands united, there is no force in the world that can defeat us.”
· In Elkins, wintery weather didn’t bring a halt to Post 29’s annual Veterans Day ceremony, though it was moved indoors to Calain Hall. Post 29 Commander Lennie Whritenour opened the ceremony with remarks, while Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco also was one of the speakers. “This event is something I enjoy doing every year,” Marco said. “I’m thankful for a lot of things, but I’m especially thankful for our freedom. And it’s because of all the people who have served and who are currently serving, that we have our freedom … Veterans Day is only one day a year, but everybody should take the time to thank a veteran every day. Because without them we wouldn’t have the things we have.”
- Honor & Remembrance