Veterans Day will be celebrated officially for the 82nd time this year across America, including many places in Chatham County, but the origins of the celebration go back to 1919.
On November 11, 1919, exactly one year after the last day of World War I, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation honoring the anniversary and making it as Armistice Day to remember those who served in World War I. In the proclamation, Wilson said: “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 nations.”
Congress adopted a resolution on June 4, 1926, making the proclamations an annual event, and the day was officially made a federal holiday in 1938 as a “day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace.” The celebration was renamed “Veterans Day” by an act of Congress in 1954 and designated to honor all veterans.
Several organizations and agencies will be hosting Veterans Day events or close to mark the holiday. Here’s the full list of events on the day and before:
Chatham Charter School, Thursday: Chatham Charter School will honor military veterans during its fifth annual campus event from 9-11:30 a.m. Thursday. Elementary students will have guest readers; the middle school will have a variety of stations to learn about aspects of military life; and high school students will hear guest speakers discuss skills they learned in the military and how they have used them in civilian life. The culminating event will be a ceremony in the gym.
Chatham Community Library, Saturday: The 2nd Annual Veterans Day Meet & Mingle will take place starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 9. Local author and retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Wes Bryant and Army veteran Rusty Edmister will be in attendance. The program is free and open to the public.
Agencies closed on Veterans Day: Chatham County Public Libraries, Chatham County Schools, Chatham Charter School, Woods Charter School, Willow Oak Montessori School, U.S. Postal Service post offices and nearly all county and state offices (except for public safety functions) will be closed Monday.