MONROE — Local schools, businesses and organizations held Veterans Day programs throughout the weekend to honor current and former service members living in the area. While some programs were held as early as Nov. 1, most took place between Friday, Nov. 10, and Sunday, Nov. 12. Veterans Day, a federal holiday, is annually held on Nov. 11.
Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, honoring the end of World War I. While the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles, France, the fighting ended months earlier. The Allied nations and Germany called for a cease-fire “on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
In 1938, Nov. 11, Armistice Day was officially declared a federal holiday set aside to honor veterans of World War I. In 1954 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the holiday was renamed “Veterans Day” and was meant to honor all those who served in the armed forces.
This year, on Nov. 10, New Glarus students came together for their Veterans Day program. According to Nathan Heil, who introduced each speaker and musical performance, the annual Veterans Day program at the high school is the lone assembly of the year that brings all school district students together.
Guest speaker Joseph Janisch regaled the students of a 2003 meeting with Samuel L. Davis, a famous Army veteran.
In Vietnam, Davis was famously wounded by a surprise heavy mortar attack by the enemy in the middle of the night. He continued to fight and saved the lives of several wounded American troops despite his own severe injuries, including crossing a river under heavy enemy fire. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military medal for valor, by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967.
“When you don’t quit, you become an inspiration to others,” Janisch said.
Janisch also asked the students to always remember veterans as they go on in life.
“I beg you: As you go on in life, do not fail your veterans, because they did not fail you,” he said.
Dr. Jennifer Thayer told the New Glarus students that her connection to veterans started immediately in life — she was born on a military base.
Area veterans also attended programs at Monroe schools on Nov. 10, first the high school assembly in the morning, and then at lunchtime at Abraham Lincoln. Veteran Chandra Deprez spoke at the MHS assembly, while veteran Paul Gregerson and fifth-grader Merric Robertson spoke at Abraham Lincoln.
After the program, students gave hand-drawn thank you cards to the approximately 20 veterans in attendance.
In the early afternoon on Friday, Aster and Pleasant View Nursing Homes held their own events as well.
The Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post #84 was represented at each event. Legion historian and past Commander Ernest Gebhardt was the speaker at Pleasant View, giving a rundown on the history of Armistice and Veterans Day.
Jim Glessner, a veteran and Legion member, spoke at Aster.
The Legion held “Freezin’ for a Reason” activities on Nov. 11 and 12 as well, including meals like a pancake breakfast on Nov. 11, Bingo with meat prizes, a free turkey dinner that evening, and an Auxiliary breakfast Sunday morning. The Legion held a Camp-Out Night in its parking lot on Saturday. All funds raised will go to a service fund, which will aid local veterans in need.
