VFW’s Veterans Day observance nearing in Windham

By Ed Pierce

For the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States of America, a federal holiday recognizing their service and sacrifices to the nation, Veterans Day, is observed on Nov. 11 every year, symbolic of the 11th Hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marking the end of World War I. In Windham, the public is invited to a special event on Veterans Day to remember those who have stepped up and given of themselves in the defense of liberty.

This year’s Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the Windham Veterans Center and will feature a guest speaker and the student winners of this year’s local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643 essay contest.

The event is part of national celebrations of Veterans Day, which was originally known as “Armistice Day.” The commemoration of a special day to pay tribute to military veterans was launched on Nov. 11, 1919, one year after the end of World War I. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared “Armistice Day” to take place annually in America on the “11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour” to remember the end of what was known as “The Great War,” now called World War I.

In his original proclamation President Wilson was resolute about creating a day to pay tribute to American veterans.

“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,” Wilson wrote in his original proclamation to create “Armistice Day.”

In June 1954, the U.S. Congress officially changed the name of “Armistice Day” to Veterans Day to honor those Americans who perished in World War II and Korea since “Armistice Day” had first been observed. In 1975, U.S. President Gerald Ford designated Nov. 11 as the permanent Veterans Day holiday because of its historical significance for the nation.

VFW Post 10643 Commander Jeff Cook of Windham is a retired Navy Seal and will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for this year’s Veterans Day event at the Windham Veterans Center.

Cook was 40 years old when he first went to serve in Afghanistan.

“I was part of the group that was sent to build the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan which was the epicenter of the war against the Tailban and al-Queda for 20 years,” he said. “During this time, many military service young men and women tasked with this job, died. It is important that we remember them for their sacrifice.”

The Veterans Day observance will include patriotic songs and Windham Boy Scout Troop 805 will assist with seating and the Presentation of the Colors. Members of Windham’s state delegation and the Windham Town Council will attend.

Cook will announce the winners of this year’s VFW-sponsored essay competitions who will read their essays for the audience in attendance for the Veterans Day observance. The theme of this year’s Patriot’s Pen contest for students in grades 6 to 8 and for the Voice of Democracy contest for students in grades 9 to 12 is “What a Veteran Taught Me About America." 

Veterans Day is a federal holiday recognized each November to celebrate and honor all U.S. veterans, those who are deceased or living. No matter what day of the week, Veterans Day always falls on November 11 each year and is recognized as a federal holiday nationally.

The Veterans Day event in Windham is free and open to the public at the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive in Windham. <