Acadiana Community Celebrates Veterans Day

For veterans and active duty, a simple “thank you” on Veterans Day, can mean so much.

A ceremony was held Wednesday to honor veterans in downtown Rochester.

It became to be known as Veterans Day in 1954 to honor not only our nation’s fallen heroes, but also those heroes who served and are alive today. On November 11, 1918 the Allied Nations and Germany agreed to end hostilities, paving the way for the Treaty of Versailles to officially end World War I.

Veterans salute as the American flag is posted. “Many young men and women raise their right hand and take their oath, and they’re basically signing a blank check that says I pledge all for our democracy, for our way of life for generations to come”.

According to officials, this new expansion is in efforts to help honor more veterans and give more people on the Western Slope a place to honor them and say thank you for their service.

Weber was asked to speak as this year’s Veterans Day ceremony by the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary John Scocos.

As veterans of the recent Iraq War begin the push for a memorial to their sacrifices, veterans from the 1991 Persian Gulf War are reminding Americans that 25 years later, they still don’t have one.

“I was in during the Vietnam War, and I’m just thankful that I’m still here”. But all were grateful to have returned home, despite the lack of recognition for what they had done in a war “determined by civilians”. I appreciate the sacrifices that they and others make to protect our freedom.

Numerous veterans had served in the Vietnam War – a turbulent time in America when there were few welcomes for those that did return. Cars, clubs, military members, and first responders were all there, cheered on by the community as they paid respect to those who served.

The hope goal and focus of programs like this, such as at the middle school, is that it is important to honor and thank veterans not just one day a year, but 365 days a year. But on Veterans Day it’s a day that I see, that they really appreciate everything that we have done.