By Norma Dittman
Fulda Free Press staff writer
Veterans Day will be observed in Fulda with a Veterans Day Program to be held on Thursday, November 8th, 10 a.m., in the Fulda High School gymnasium. The program is coordinated by the Fulda FCCLA. Everyone is invited to attend this program that honors United States veterans and victims of all wars.
During the program, FCCLA members will give a welcome followed by the Posting of the Colors by the Fulda Legion Post # 318 and Auxiliary.
Music will be provided by the Fulda High School Band and Choir under the direction of Matt Saxman. Songs that they will perform include “Star Spangled Banner”, “We Honor You”, “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, and “United We Stand”.
Fulda Elementary School students, under the direction of Carolyn Beerman, will be singing “Proud to be American”, by Jill Gallina.
The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Fulda Elementary School 5th grade students followed by an Invocation by the Fulda Legion Post Chaplain.
Teacher Ellen Kelm, representing Fulda Schools faculty and staff will speak about the GI Go Jeans for Troops Fund.
World War I remembrances will be shared by the 10th grade United States History Class.
“See the Veteran” will be performed by Fulda Elementary kindergarten through 2nd grade students.
Third grade students will also be presenting a patriotic poem.
A time to recognize the veterans of each branch of the armed services will be held.
“Taps” will be played by Fulda High School Senior Sam Cheadle, followed by a benediction from the Fulda Legion Post Chaplain.
All Veterans and their families are invited for bars, coffee, and punch in the Family and Consumer Science room after the conclusion of the program.
The history of Veterans Day:
Veterans Day, which was formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a United States legal holiday to honor the end of World War I. World War I began on July 28, 1914 and ended on November 11, 1918.
Legislation was passed in 1938 that November 11th was to be “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’” The new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.
In 1954, the 83rd U.S. Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans.” The United States had now been through not only World War I, but also World War II and the Korean War, as well. The legislation was approved on June 1, 1954, and November 11th became a day to honor American veterans and victims of all wars.
