HOULTON, Maine — Veterans from all branches of the service were honored Saturday during a brief ceremony in Houlton’s Monument Park.
Kris Watson, acting commander for The American Legion Chester L. Briggs Post 47 in Houlton, welcomed the small group gathered on a bitterly cold and blustery morning.
“On this day, we commemorate the services of veterans of all wars,” Watson said. “We remember how men and women set aside civilian pursuits to serve the nation’s cause. We believe our determination has made us better warriors because we follow with our minds and hearts, as well as our bodies.”
“In our constant quest for world peace there is a need for unity of purpose if we truly are to move forward for a brighter tomorrow,” added Peggy Watson, fellow speaker.
“When you serve in the military, you become part of a tight-knit community,” explained Adjutant Scott Brewer of Legion Post No. 47. “Many have come before you to protect this great nation. Sadly not every service member is able to be reunited with their loved ones. Those veterans gave the ultimate sacrifice. We can never thank them or their families enough. May God be with them.”
Brewer said men and women in each branch of the armed forces wear their uniform with pride.
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- A small group braved bitterly cold temperatures to gather in Houlton Saturday for the town’s Veterans’ Day ceremony. (Joseph Cyr)
“They learned the courage to stand up for the American beliefs and the Constitution of the United States, which states every person shall be free,” he said.
Brewer added that the salute was one of the highest signs of respect a member of the military can display and how saluting the flag is the ultimate showing of respect.
“When we salute the flag, we salute the men and women who made this country what it is today.” he said. “The greatest honor of wearing the uniform is wearing the American flag patch. Today, we honor all servicemen and women for their sacrifices and their love for our country. Today, we salute you.”
Brief history of Veterans Day
Veterans Day is celebrated each year on Nov. 11, with ceremonies normally taking place at 11 a.m. This particular date and time are significant. According to the History Channel’s history.com, “On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as ‘the Great War.’”
The Treaty of Versailles, signed June 28, 1919, officially ended the war; that same year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as Armistice Day. Flags were to be flown and people were asked to remember those who served.
Kris Watson, acting commander for American Legion Post No. 47, speaks to a small group Saturday in Houlton in recognition of Veterans Day. Listening on are Adjutant Scott Brewer and guest speaker Peggy Watson. (Joseph Cyr)
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Public Affairs relates that Armistice Day was declared a legal holiday in 1938, primarily to honor WWI veterans and, the resolution specified, “designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.”
After World War II and Korea, though, that changed; on June 1, 1954, the act was amended to replace ‘Armistice Day’ with ‘Veterans Day,’ and Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
According to the VA’s history, the Uniform Holiday Bill went into effect in June 1968, intended to ensure three-day weekends for federal employees by moving Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day to Mondays. Public preference prevailed, however; seven years later, in 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law returning Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11, which began in 1978.
Staff writer Paula Brewer contributed to this article.
