Respect and recognize our veterans

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As Veterans Day approaches, I would again like to remind our community what it’s truly about.

Veterans Day was formed for us, as Americans, to reflect, honor and celebrate the service of all veterans of this country. Veterans Day was formed by combining two other holidays, Armistice Day (which was celebrated every year on Nov. 11 to commemorate the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany) and Remembrance Day (which was observed on Nov. 11 to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918). On June 1, 1954 Congress replacing “Armistice” with “Veterans” and it has been known as Veterans Day ever since.

For the last several years a small group of extremely gracious volunteers have come together as the Clinton County Veterans Day Committee. This year the committee was able to arrange for Retired U.S. Army Captain and Clinton County Auditor Terry Habermehl to be the master of ceremony. Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Cliff Rosenberger and U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard veteran Staff Sergeant has also agreed to say a few words.

The committee was also able to arrange for Ohio Army National Guard Colonel and U.S. Congressman Steve Stivers to be the Honored Guest Speaker. This year’s Veterans Day Event is again being held at the Veterans Memorial at the corner of E. Main Street and S. Walnut Street and will start at 10 a.m. and will promptly end at 11 a.m.

I would also like to suggest that all veterans and retirees who attend this event wear their Medals, Awards and Decorations that they have earned as granted by the Department of Defense Instruction 1334.01 “Wearing of the Uniform.” This instruction allows veterans and retirees to wear on their civilian clothes for gathering of a military theme such as Veterans Day and Memorial Day their medals, awards and decorations.

As this important day comes closer I would like to remind individuals of a quote by President George Washington, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country.”

Kelly Hopkins

Wilmington

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