By SALINA POST
In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, D.C., became the focal point of reverence for America’s veterans.
Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month).
The day became known as “Armistice Day.”
Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was “the War to end all wars,"November 11 might still be called Armistice Day.
Only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle.
U.S. Representative Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.
Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Reagan in November 1982. Weeks' local parade and ceremonies are now an annual event celebrated nationwide.
Several Veterans Day activities are scheduled, including the following.
Salina Area Technical College flag raising ceremony
Join Salina Tech and the Kansas National Guard's Regional Training Institute for its 8th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony. The event will begin on Friday, Nov. 10 at 9:30 a.m. at Salina Tech, 2562 Centennial Road.
The flag-raising is open to the public.
Following the ceremony there will be a free breakfast for all active-duty military members, veterans, and their families. Reservations are required for the breakfast. RSVP to [email protected]
A color guard from the Regional Training Institute will raise the flag in front of Salina Tech Building A, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the National Anthem, and firing of a ceremonial cannon.
Saline County War Memorial service at Sunset Park
The Salina VFW will host the annual Veterans Day service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Salina-Saline County War Memorial.
The guest speaker for the ceremony is Salina’s Vice-Mayor Bill Longbine, a lifelong resident of Saline County and a VFW Auxiliary Life Member.
Multiple local military organizations will provide the color guard, and Kansas Wesleyan University’s Wind Ensemble will provide music with Taps being performed by Seth Bush and Craig Allison.
The Salina-Saline County War Memorial, located in Sunset Park, is an eight-sided concrete monolith with giant bronze plaques. Paving bricks with inscribed veterans' names outline the walkways known as the “Walk of Honor." The memorial was dedicated to the City of Salina in 1994 to be maintained by the Salina Parks and Recreation.
One notable addition to the Salina-Saline County War Memorial is the POW/MIA pavers and monument that were dedicated in May of this year. Dennis Pugh, Saline County's only POW/MIA soldier was honored with an individual monument which can be seen in Sunset Park in Salina.
Veterans Day Parade
At 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, Interim Healthcare & Hospice will host its second-annual David Torey's Veterans Day Parade in downtown Salina to honor the community's veterans.
Interim Home Healthcare and Hospice Salina Branch Manager Jacque Backhus said the business began the parade last year at the suggestion of David Torrey, a veteran and father to an employee.
"I think that just starts bringing awareness to it, and so people start asking those and so they can honor them," Backhus said. "That's the whole thing; let's just bring it out and give recognition."
The parade will begin on Santa Fe Avenue at its intersection with Elm Street and end at South Street.
The Salina Fire Department, American Legion Post 62, local businesses and Salina Police will be featured alongside local veterans and their families. This year's parade grand marshall is Arthur Erickson, a World War II veteran.
Veterans Day at Salina Central Mall
Historical information found in this article was provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs