Friday is Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day. It was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place Nov. 11, 1918.
According to www.military.com, in legislation that was passed in 1938, Nov. 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’” As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.
In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress – at the urging of veterans service organizations – amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Local Veterans Day observations began Monday when New Castle Mayor Greg York and a representative of the local public library tied a large yellow ribbon around an oak tree just south of the New Castle Fieldhouse parking lot, in what has become known as Trojan Woods.
“I think it’s great to have a visualization of our respect for our heroes and that we remember them, especially around this time of the year,” New Castle-Henry County Public Library Teen/AV Librarian Krystal Stanich said.
New Castle Mayor Greg York noted the local tradition of tying a ribbon around the oak tree dates back four years and was an idea introduced by former local librarian Pam Adkins, who was looking for a way to honor her brother and others like him serving in the U.S. military.
“Between Pam and I talking ... we came up with the idea of tying a yellow ribbon around this oak tree,” the mayor said. “Since then, every year we’ve tried to tie a yellow ribbon around this tree for our heroes, the people who served our country and our community in the service. We’re just trying to be respectful to those who served us.”
A sign recognizing the efforts and sacrifices veterans make has also been placed near the ribbon-decorated tree. The mayor said both will remain in place until the weather necessitates their removal.
Every year, the NC-HC library also fills a tree with ornaments honoring former and current military heroes. This year’s program took place in the library auditorium after the 2015 event outgrew the upper level location.
Mayor York also spoke at the annual “Our Heroes’ Tree“ celebration Monday afternoon in the library‘s auditorium. York spoke on the respect, honor and thankfulness he feels all New Castle residents should show to “the people who love the country enough to serve.”
Library staff decorated the east wall of the auditorium with photos of local veterans. A dedicated tree will stand outside the auditorium for the rest of the month so that the community has a chance to bring in a decoration and place it on the tree to remember their heroes.
“We’re very, very fortunate to live in America, the land of the free,” York said. “That freedom only comes from men and women who gave their lives.”
Vietnam veteran and VFW member Jack Rosenberry shared his experiences about carrying an M-60 machine gun as a Marine during the conflict in Southeast Asia.
The library program also included a procession of flags by American Legion Post 137 and a musical presentation by the Blue River Valley choir. The students sang “You’re A Grande Ole Flag,” “God Bless America,” “In Flander’s Field” and “American Tears.”
“I thought the turnout was wonderful,” Stanich said. “The BRV choir was fantastic.”
The choir will perform their patriotic set again Friday during a Veterans Day program at BRV Elementary School.
Friends of the Library will provide refreshments. Community members are invited to bring an ornament to the celebration or to the main service desk before or after the program.
Friday’s edition of The Courier-Times will feature several stories highlighting local veterans and their families.
