Above / Veterans are recognized for their service at Veterans Park. (PN FIle Photo) No matter where you stand at “11-11-11,” pause for a moment of remembrance and appreciation for all Veterans, past and present, who honorably serve the U.S. military. Thank you.
Updated, Nov. 11, 2020 / The Commander of the American Legion and I have decided to cancel both our Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Park and the Veterans Day dinner at the Post on Wednesday, November 11th. The State has indicated that even stricter mitigation measures will go into place for our area beginning at 12:01 am Wednesday morning. Those measures restrict the number of people allowed in group gatherings (both inside and outside) to no more than 10 individuals. We have decided to play things safe for both organizations rather than proceed with our original plans. —Tom Parker, Commander of the Judd Kendall VFW
Updated, Nov. 11, 2019 / ALERT! In Naperville, today’s Veterans Day ceremony at 11AM will be moved indoors to the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Center (305 Jackson Ave), 2nd floor “gymnasium” area.
November 11 is Veterans Day. It is observed in the United States in commemoration of the Armistice that ended World War I in 1918. In 1954 it was renamed from Armistice Day and given the added significance of honoring Veterans.
That begs the question, “What is a Veteran”? A military Veteran is any person who served for any length of time in any military service branch. It is not just a combat Veteran. It is any man or woman who put on the uniform. We all took the oath to defend the constitution and the country up to and including our giving our lives. In all wars in our history, 42,500,000 have put on the uniform and 1.25 million men and women made that ultimate sacrifice.
As of 2018, there were 18.2 million Veterans from all conflicts residing in the United States. That represents 13 percent of the population according to the Census Bureau. I’m pretty sure those numbers are lower now because our World War II, Korean War and Vietnam Veterans are dying at an alarming rate.
History has provided us with extraordinary examples of their selfless deeds. Countless millions throughout the world have forever been the beneficiaries of their sacrifice, kindness and generosity.
Often our freedoms are taken for granted. The cost of protecting the liberties we enjoy as individuals and as a nation are frequently overlooked and sadly go ignored. What Veterans have contributed to liberty and the protection of American values are enduring because of their quiet resilient strength of character, faultless loyalty, honor and integrity during peace time and in war. If you ask them, they humbly say, “IT IS MY DUTY AND I WOULD DO IT AGAIN.”
English Statesman, George Canning wrote, “When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep”? Our sense of gratitude cannot “sleep.” We must be willing to pick the Veterans up when they are down, help point them to a new life when they return home and carry them when they are weary. We, the many, have benefitted from the sacrifice and service of the relative few. It is our responsibility to insure our Veterans are cared for. It is a responsibility that we are obliged to fill … It is one that honor demands of us.
