Although Monday marks the federal observance of Veterans Day, when many government institutions and banks close to honor service members, the Hopewell Valley Veterans Association hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday November 9, at Hopewell Township’s Woolsey Park.
The occasion featured an address from Colonel Ken Baker, the President of the Hopewell Valley Veterans Association who told the crowd,” We thank all who have served and all who are now serving, for their commitment to our great nation.” More than 100 people attended the weekend ceremony to thank local veterans of the U.S. armed services.
Today, commemorations continue in small and significant ways. Nationally communities are recognizing active and former U.S. service members by holding parades and laying wreaths. On the lighter side, restaurants are offering veterans complimentary meals today, such as Buffalo Wild Wings, which is offering free wings and fries to service members with valid ID. Applebee’s will allow them to order free of charge from a special menu today.
The majority of national commemorations are held November 11, as that date is the anniversary of the end of World War I. The holiday has been observed in some form since 1919, when then-President Woodrow Wilson commemorated the first anniversary of the World War I armistice.
For those wondering the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day commemorations, Veterans Day differs by honoring living as well as dead service members regardless of whether they served during times of war or peace. Comparatively, Memorial Day, observed the last Monday in May, honors those who served and gave their lives for their country.
For more on the history of Veterans Day, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
