Vets honored at annual West Harrison parade

Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. These courageous men and woman continue to protect and defend us and for that we are forever grateful. “However, more than anything, I’m happy we don’t have class. It’s really nice to get a day off”.

Americans continued to acknowledge the courage of WWI veterans on each November 11 thereafter; and in 1938, Congress passed a bill officially designating November 11 as the day to “be dedicated to the cause of world peace and …hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day”. Many, unfortunately, had to hide the fact they were in the military when they returned.

Remembrance Day doesn’t glorify war, it exposes it as the vile, wicked thing that it is, wreaking of death and usually solving nothing.

Former San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson, who served in the Marines, will be the keynote speaker at the annual observance at the Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial.

On Veterans Day, in addition to paying tribute to the men and women who have served in the military, the nation also must renew its efforts to provide good quality health and mental health care for them.

Veterans Day is on Wednesday and events are planned for all over the valley. Then, in 1954, Congress struck out the word “Armistice” and inserted the word “Veterans” to honor American veterans of all wars. These veterans need our help.

Today we join the rest of the nation on Veterans Day with a simple message to all veterans: Thank you. If you know a veteran, you understand what I mean.

“It’s not the memorials to me it is the look of the veterans faces it’s looking and seeing their smile and seeing them…” Korea War Veterans are few and far between and now we’re looking at Vietnam Veterans are starting to die out too.

Your military service and sacrifices – including those made in peacetime – during your young adulthood will never be forgotten.

“…these golden members of the golden generation that saved the world entire…and if you know one of them, and have anything you’d like to say to them, you should say it soon”.