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Veterans Day event to mark WWI end

Commercial-News - 11/4/2018

Nov. 04--DANVILLE -- Veterans Day is a time to honor all people who served in the military -- whether it's a soldier in combat or a clerk in the office.

"Every veteran, no matter where he served or when, is an integral part of America staying free," said John Albers, commander of the American Legion Curtis G. Redden Post 210.

"There is no unimportant job in the military. You lose one position, you downgrade the effectiveness of your unit."

Albers said for every soldier in combat, there are 10 people in support positions, such as the guy fueling vehicles and the typist filling out a requisition. The quickest way to stop the enemy is to cut off the supply line, he said.

Even the military people not serving in a combat zone are helping to prevent a war just by their presence, he said.

Albers wants people to understand that Veterans Day on Sunday, Nov. 11, is a time to honor all veterans of all eras, not just war time. The day is distinguished from Memorial Day, when the deceased are remembered, and Armed Forces Day, which salutes those in service now.

On Sunday, the Vermilion County Joint Veterans Council and other organizations will have ceremonies honoring every veteran -- no matter where and when he or she served.

The Danville ceremony will have a different emphasis this year, as it's the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice to end World War I. The signing took place on the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month (11 a.m.Nov. 11) in 1918.

"We've stuck to that day and that hour" for the ceremonies, Albers said.

In honor of the anniversary, Danville'sVeterans Day ceremony will move to a new site just for this year at the Freedom Memorial Plaza -- the WWI statue -- at Main and Gilbert streets. People can park along a nearby side street or in an empty lot at Main and Logan. The ceremony will start at 10:30 a.m., with the expectation that it will end at 11 a.m. with a rifle salute and Taps.

Albers, who retired as a chief warrant officer with the Army in 1999, will give the welcome, followed by Wayne Anders giving the invocation. The Marine CorpsLeague Maj. Kenneth D. Bailey Detachment 824 will present the colors, and Curt Kizer will sing the National Anthem. Representatives of local veterans' groups will place wreaths at the memorial.

Speakers will be World War II veteran Bernie Lewallen and Marine Corps Sgt. Warner Miller, a recruiter.

The ceremony will end with Anders giving the benediction, Kizer singing "God Bless America," a closing by Albers, a rifle salute by the American Legion Post 210 Honor Guard and Taps. Then, the public is invited to the Legion at Jackson and Prospect for free chili from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sewing for Veterans, based in Westville, will present 10 quilts to veterans and Albers will give out awards.

Also, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 728 at 8 Pine will serve free chili from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

OTHER EVENTS

DANVILLE

--Danville Lutheran Schools is inviting veterans and the public to its Veterans Day concert Thursday in the advanced learning center at Trinity campus, 826 E. Main St. Chili will be served from 5-6:15 p.m., followed by the program. The event is free, but a free-will donation will be taken.

--The second annual 5K Veterans Day run/walk will start at 10 a.m. Saturday at Legion Post 210, with proceeds going to the Legion. Money raised last year was used to renovate the banquet room with new floor, ceiling and paint. Preregistration is $10, and entries must be postmarked by Monday. On the day of the race, registration will be from 8:30-9:30 a.m.; cost is $20.

Afterward, chili will be served in the banquet hall, and there will be music, door prizes and raffle gift baskets.

For information, contact race director Lisa Knapp at 260-2496, email krr@kennekuk.com or register online at www.active.com. The race is sponsored by the Kennekuk Road and Trail Runners.

--The Vermilion County War Museum will mark Veterans Day and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

On Saturday, the museum will have an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission. Donations will be accepted. On Sunday, the museum will be open from noon to 4 p.m., also with free admission. The free admission is a tribute to Veterans Day, the 19th anniversary of the War Museum and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

From Nov. 13 through Nov. 17, there will be WWI displays. Regular hours will be in effect for this week: noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for students.

For more information about these events or scheduled tours, call 431-0034 or email vcwm@comcast.net

--St. James United Methodist Church will highlight veterans volunteers during a ceremony Nov. 11 for their effort at distributing food to those in need.

GEORGETOWN

Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School will honor local veterans Monday, Nov. 12, at its second annual Veterans Day assembly. All veterans are invited for breakfast starting at 8:15 a.m. in the high school cafeteria. The assembly will start at 9 a.m. in the gymnasium. The public is invited.

HOOPESTON

--The Hoopeston Animal Rescue Team will offer Operation Pets and Vets from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Hoopeston. Veterans eat free. For others: mastiff plate (adult), $8, and puppy plate (12 and younger), $4. The all-you-can-eat menu includes biscuits and gravy, sausage, egg casserole and cinnamon rolls, as well as milk, orange juice and coffee.

There will be a 50/50 drawing.

--Hoopeston will have a Veterans Day program at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hoopeston Area Middle School gymnasium. The service will feature the American Legion color guard, high school band and chorus and a student essay. Keynote speaker will be Vermilion County Board chairman Larry Baughn.

--The Hoopeston American Legion will serve free chili from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, at the Post 384 home, 502 Penn St.

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