On the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour, Americans pause to remember and give thanks to the veterans of the United States military for the brave and selfless service to their country.

   The VFW Post 10844 held a brief service at the American Legion War Memorial in Caledonia. The brisk light breeze billowed the American flag and the POW/MIA flag on the front lawn of the legion building as the color guard stood at attention as VFW Commander Jake Davis reminded the small crowd of what is a veteran.

   "Veterans are everyday men and women, friends, neighbors, co-workers and relatives who served America is extraordinary ways. Veterans truly are among our finest citizens."

   He reminded everyone that Veterans Day is opportunity to remember the service of those who defending freedom throughout history but also a time to reflect on their successors who continue to courageously defend freedom at home and abroad.

   Davis pointed to the POW/MIA black flag flying at the legion, a reminder of the more than 40,000 heroes who defended their country but are to this day, unaccounted for. "Let us never forget that they are veterans too, who today may be wearing a tattered and torn U.S. Armed Forces uniform. The heroes we call POW’s and MIA’s."

   A somber Taps and color guard salute concluded the Veterans Day observance.

   A Veterans Day dinner was held at the American Legion in the evening. American Legion Post 255 Commander Mel Keenan welcomed approximately eighty-five people in attendance. Post Chaplain Jim O'Donoghue gave the Invocation and Benediction.

   Vice-Commander Ed Micheaux gave "The Missing Man Toast" To symbolize "the missing man," placed in the dining room was a small round bistro table with a white tablecloth, a single place setting with an inverted wine glass, a salt shaker and a slice of lemon on bread plate with a pile of spilled salt. A small bud vase with a single stem red rose and a red ribbon tied around the vase decorated the table with an American flag with a lit candle and an empty chair. Vice-Commander Micheaux explained the meaning of all the table items. Commander Keenan then led the gathering with a moment of silence while Arnie Rychlicki and Don Pullyblank played "taps".

   Commander Keenan closed the evening with the presentation of American Legion continuous service pins. 

History of Veteran’s Day

   Veteran’s Day was originally called Armistice Day. It marked November 11, 1918, the day that the Allies and the Germans signed a cease fire, so ending the fighting of World War I. Celebrations took place all over the world.

   The following year, President Woodrow Wilson issued an Armistice Day proclamation that encouraged an annual observance of this day in history. Congress issued a proclamation in 1938 that stated each November 11 "shall be dedicated to the cause of world peace and ... hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day." It later became a legal holiday celebrated with observances at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and parades in towns and cities across the country.

   After WWII, veteran’s groups decided to change Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day to better include all veterans of war, not just those from WWI. The first Veteran’s Day observance took place in Kansas City in 1953. By an act of Congress, Armistice Day was officially changed to Veteran’s Day on May 24, 1954. President Eisenhower called on all citizens to observe the day by remembering the sacrifices of all those who fought so gallantly, and through rededication to the task of promoting an enduring peace.