Lee Trawick
“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 the nations.”
-President Woodrow Wilson, November 1919
World War I (WWI) began coming to an end when an armistice was reached between the Allied Powers and Germany on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year in 1918. However, the war was not completely over. The original concept for the celebration was for a day to be observed with parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m. Armistice Day was then declared a national holiday on May 13, 1938, set to originally honor Veterans of WWI.
However, after World War II broke out, followed by the Korean War, the 83rd Congress, with the help of veteran service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by replacing the word “Armistice” with the word “Veterans” to honor all Veterans of the United States military. With the approval of legislation on June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day proclamation on Oct. 8, 1954, which stated:
“In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all Veterans, all Veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning of the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”
-President Dwight D. Eisenhower
On Tuesday, Nov. 8, Live Oak Heritage Park and Gardens honored Veterans Day by holding a heart-felt ceremony that involved the unveiling of the Veterans Memorial Plaque by Master of Ceremonies John Bell and United States Army Veteran Robert Ford.
The event began with Master of Ceremonies Bell welcoming everyone, followed by a opening prayer led by Live Oak Mayor Frank Davis. After, Suwannee High School's Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) presented the rising of the American flag and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Next, Ford recognized Veterans of Suwannee County and throughout the nation, as well as their families who have sacrificed as much. He looked throughout the crowd to find his wife, offering her a heartfelt thank you for all the sacrifices she has made over the course of his distinguished career. “I am so grateful for my wife, who took care of things at home,” Ford said. “I was able to focus on my career and what had to be done because I knew she was handling everything at home; and for that I am so grateful to her for that.”
The unveiled Veterans Memorial Plaque honors all five branches of the United States Military and reads: “The light of freedom still burns brightly in our World today because of the service and sacrifice of America's men and women in uniform. 'May we never forget freedom isn't free.'” This was followed by the renaming of a gazebo in the honor of lifelong Suwannee County public servant and United States Army Veteran John W. Yulee.
Daniel Crapps then had the honor to offer a bit of history about the gazebo, and offered a tribute towards John W. Yulee. Following his remarks, Yulee took the time to thank his family for supporting him throughout his over 40 years of service to Suwannee County. Closing remarks were given by Joe Flanagan, followed by an ovation given by everyone in honor of all Veterans.