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Veterans Day to be filled with parade, ceremonies
By MARY BURRELL
Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005 |
SEMINOLE – It was the 11th hour. The 11th day. The 11th month.
It was 1918 and World War II, the “war to end all wars,” was over.
Officially called Armistice Day in 1926 through a Congressional resolution, Nov. 11 become a national holiday 12 years later.
In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming Veterans Day a day to honor all soldiers who fought in all wars. The date was later changed to October, but changed back to Nov. 11 in 1978.
And again this week, Americans will gather on the 11th hour Friday, Nov. 11, to honor veterans – but certainly not to celebrate the end of all wars.
“Once again we have young men and women in harm’s way. At least they have the support of the public,” said David Miller, a U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran who just gave up his presidency of the Pinellas County Veterans Liaison Council after 13 years.
“God bless our veterans and our troops in harm’s way” is a message shared each year, said Jerone DeClercq, adjutant at the American Legion Post 273, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, who said Veterans Day is a time to salute veterans as well as troops presently in service.
“It’s important for people to retain this dedication,” he said.
Miller, a devout warrior of veterans rights, agreed that having Americans involved in a war makes the observance of Veterans Day even more poignant. The father of two boys, Miller said it is important for the public, particularly children, to be involved in Veterans Day ceremonies.
That is one of the reasons that the traditional Veterans Day Parade at the Bay Pines V.A. Medical Center was moved last year to the middle of Seminole.
Parade program director Alan G. Thompson said the veterans were hopeful that this year, the Pinellas County schools would be closed half the day to enable students to attend the Veterans Day observances. Though Friday originally was planned as a half day, it was extended to a full day to make up time lost from the recent hurricane.
The schools, Thompsen said, need to teach children about veterans and he hopes that the public as a whole will take the opportunity to attend the parade and ceremony.
Seminole Parade and Ceremony
The Veterans Day Parade will begin at the northeast corner of the Seminole Mall, on the corner of 80th Avenue and 113th Street, at 10 a.m. More than 38 units, including marching honor guards, veterans groups, veterans vehicles and walkers passing out American flags, will progress up 113th Street to the front of the Seminole Community Library, on the campus of St. Petersburg College.
At the traditional time, 11 a.m., the ceremony will begin, with Keswick Christian School providing music, and ROTC units from two high schools participating.
The keynote speaker will be Marine Maj. Howard Hall, who recently returned from his second tour in Iraq.
“This is a time for reflection,” said Thompson. “These people have certainly served their country. It makes me proud. They should have more appreciation from the public.”
Veterans honor veterans
Veterans organizations will also begin ceremonies the 11th hour.
At Post 273, on American Legion Drive off Duhme Road in Madeira Beach, the 11 a.m. ceremony will feature guest speaker Col. Jose Baez, the commander of the Defense Contract Management Agency, Department of Defense in St. Petersburg.
Baez has an extensive educational background and military record, including having served in Operation Desert Storm as a Group Logistics Officer attached to the 3rd Armored Division. He commanded DCMA Southern Iraq from December 2004 to June 2005.
Following the ceremony, which includes music, audience participation and Honor Guard veterans salute, a luncheon buffet will be served to those who attended the ceremony.
In Seminole, at American Legion Post 252, 11433 78th Ave. N., activities at 11 a.m. also will honor veterans.
Veterans Boat Parade
For the ninth year, the boating public will set their patriotic sails and parade through the Intracoastal Waterway as part of the annual Veterans Boat Parade on Saturday, Nov. 12, in Madeira Beach and Treasure Island.
The festivities will begin in solemnity at the American Legion Post 273, with the invocation and blessing of the fleet by the Rev. Dr. Armand L. Weller, pastor of Church by the Sea. Pearl Harbor survivors Russell Winsett and Carroll Andrews will toss a wreath into the water in memory of those who died in war.
At 11 a.m., the boats will depart from the American Legion Post 273, just north of Tom Stuart Causeway in Madeira Beach, head south to Treasure Island Causeway and back.
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Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005
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