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Veterans to be honored in weekend services
This weekend communities across the country will pause in honor of Veteran's Day on Sunday.
Veteran's Day originated as "Armistice Day" on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when an armistice agreement between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect ---- ending World War I, according to www.timeanddate.com .
On Nov. 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time.
President Wilson proclaimed the day should be "filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory." There were plans for parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business activities at 11 a.m.
Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veteran's Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars, according to information on the website www.timeanddate.com.
Locally, a variety of ceremonies are scheduled this weekend.
Linton Elks Lodge No. 866, located on State Road 54E, will host its sixth annual Veteran's Day program at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Jerry Abrams, from the Indiana Elks Foundation and Bill Firkins, Past Indiana American Legion Department President, will read the names of the 164 deceased Greene County military veterans, who served from World I until the present.
The Bloomfield Junior-Senior High School NJROTC will present colors and will hang a dog tag on each of 164 wood crosses that are on display in front of the Elks' building ---- one for each deceased veteran, according to program chairman Jerry McKim.
The Linton-Stockton High School Band will entertain with patriotic music.
Immediately following the ceremony, a free meal will be offered to all attendees
Also on Saturday, all Greene County area veterans are invited to a free appreciation breakfast of sausage gravy and biscuits or pancakes at American Legion Post No. 22 in Linton from 7:30 to 10 a.m.
The breakfast is hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 22.
The annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner, hosted by Lyons Boy Scout Troop No. 407, will be at the Lyons Community Building from 4 to 7 p.m.
All veterans eat free and all others by donation.
There will be veteran's memorabilia displays, patriotic quilt raffle, door prizes, a silent auction and a ceremony with a guest speaker at 6 p.m.
All money raised will benefit the Lyons Veterans Memorial Fund.
The Greene County Veterans Council will conduct its Annual Community Veterans Day Service at 11 a.m. on Sunday on the courthouse lawn in Bloomfield.
Col. Ronald Jones, State Inspector General, Joint Force Headquarters Indiana, will be the guest speaker.
In case of inclement weather, the service will be at the American Legion Post 196 in Bloomfield, according to Norman Sullivan, Greene County Veteran's Service officer.
The Worthington Auxiliary Unit No. 106 will host a Veteran's Day Dinner beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday
The dinner will be in the banquet hall of the Worthington American Legion Bashaw-Roth Post No. 106, and is open to the general public.
An awards ceremony will be at 2 p.m. to present an award to the young authors who composed the winning essays on the topics "American Dream" and "What it means to be an American?"
Also on Sunday, the Linton Elks Lodge will have its Thanksgiving Sunday buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The menu will include fried chicken, roast turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, stuffing and a full salad bar. In honor of Veteran's Day, veterans will receive a 50 percent discount on the meal.
County, city and town offices will be closed on Monday to commemorate the Veteran's Day observance.
Also on Monday, there will be a Veteran's Day Assembly in the White River Valley Junior-Senior High School gym at 9 a.m., hosted by the senior speech class. The assembly is for students to learn about Veteran's Day and to thank all veterans for serving in the armed forces.
Anderson-Poindexter Funeral Home in Linton will host a Veteran's Memorial Service at 1 p.m. on the lawn of the North Main St. location.
The Greene County Veterans Council will conduct a Flag Retirement Ceremony at 5 p.m. on Monday at the VFW Post No. 7117 in Worthington. The public is invited to attend and asked to bring any flags to be retired.