Carmichaels Veterans Day parade and service held
Veterans march through Carmichaels Monday during the Veterans Day celebration.
The honor guard waits for the clock to strike 11 a.m. on Veterans Day in Carmichaels before firing a 21-gun salute.
The American Legion Post 400 Marching Band makes its way to the center of Carmichaels Borough on Veterans Day.
CARMICHAELS – When the clock on the Carmichaels branch of First Federal Savings and Loan Association reached 11 a.m. Monday, a 21-gun salute from the honor guard of American Legion Post 400 rang out. Its timing symbolized the date and time in history that the fighting along the western front in the “war to end all wars,” as World War I was called, ceased.
The armistice signed on that day in 1918 declared 11 a.m. as the time it was to stop, but that isn’t how it turned out. The shooting continued for some time before it slowly began to subside and eventually end.
Navy veteran Steve Hillsman, First Vice of Post 400, detailed the history behind what is today known as Veterans Day.
It was 1938 when Armistice Day was created by the government to honor WWI veterans and celebrate world peace. However, years later World War II broke out, and five years after it ended our country was engaged in the Korean War. It became clear there was no war that would end them all.
“Many Americans mistakenly believe that Memorial Day is the day to honor veterans,” Hillsman said. “Veterans Day is the day to honor all veterans – both living and dead.”
Hillsman said Nov. 11 is a day to be thankful for the dedicated service of these men and women in keeping the United States a free country and for the sacrifices they’ve made to keep it safe.
Almost 20 years after Armistice Day was enacted, the word “armistice” was replaced by “veterans” when Kansas lawmaker, Edward Rees, introduced an act to make this day a remembrance of all veterans. President Eisenhower would call upon Americans to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace that was the intention of Armistice Day, Hillsman said.
Hillsman spoke of the tradition of the ceremony carried out each Nov. 11 at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. He reflected on that soldiers counterparts, the French Unknown Soldier, buried at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and the British Unknown at Westminster Abbey in London, who represent a remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice paid in service to their countries.
“It symbolizes dignity and reverence,” Hillsman said of the tomb of the unknown at Arlington.
As Veterans Day is recognized in communities all across the United States it is important to take the time to thank a veteran and not wait until Memorial Day, Hillsman said. “God bless all veterans of the United States of America,” he concluded.
Helping to celebrate the occasion, Post 400 marching band, under the direction of Frank Ricco, contributed music for the parade of local veterans to the center of town and from there to the legion social hall.
“God Bless America,” “The Star Spangled Banner” and “America, the Beautiful,” rang through the hall from the small ensemble with the large sound, as the band has come to be known. Musicians from high school to retirement age compose the group. Anyone interested in joining can call Ricco at 412-582-9527 for more information.
The event concluded with a luncheon provided by members of the Ladies Auxiliary of Post 400.