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In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
This year there are several public ceremonies to commemorate Veteran’s Day in DeKalb County. A ceremony will be held at the DeKalb County Courthouse, beginning before 10:59 a.m. so the assembly can observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. to commemorate the armistice that ended World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
A Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at the flagpole across from Altgeld Hall on the Northern Illinois University campus. There will be a speech by DeKalb County State’s Attorney Clay Campbell – a U.S. Army veteran and reservist. Members of the NIU Army ROTC program also will talk about the significance of the day, provide the color guard and a 21-gun salute.
A ceremony will also be held at 11 a.m. at Kishwaukee College in Jenkins Auditorium in the Kishwaukee College Conference Center.
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Having had the privelege and honor to know, go to school with, play softball with and against, and to work with I would have to mention each and everyone who gave up themselves for service to this country. Many of the older Veteran’s who I first met so long ago who are not with us today and those who proudly served nd are still with us in this great nation, I would like to mention them all. Thank you for your service, there are still many who do value and appreciate Veterans.