Veterans Day is an opportunity to publicly commemorate the contributions of living veterans. Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar congressional action.

If World War I had been “the war to end all wars,” Nov. 11 might be still called Armistice Day. Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of World War II and Korea, Congress decided to make the day an occasion to honor all those who have served America. In 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day. (Historically, the first Veterans Day parade was held in 1953 in Emporia, Kansas.)

A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

source: vfw.org

 

Scheduled Tributes Nov. 11

 

The VFW will host a tribute to veterans at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Drive in Solvang. The event will include an honor guard, guest speakers and music. After the service, hot dogs, chips and soft drinks will be served. 

 

A musical celebration is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. in the Sunken Gardens of the Santa Barbara Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa Street. The event is free to the public. The musical Program includes The Westmont College Orchestra, Sheriff’s Fife and Drum Corps, Veterans’ Honor Guard, Ret. Police Officer David Gonzalez, San Marcos High School Choruses, Cantor Mark Childs, Nanda and John Douglas and the State Street Jazz Band.

The event is produced by Marilyn Gilbert and Nathan Rundlett and Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Museum and Library. For information call (805) 969-7183.

 

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation will host a Veterans Day Celebration beginning at 10:30 a.m. at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park. The public is invited to honor armed service veterans, their families and currently serving military members at the event.

Join members of Los Soldados de Cuera (Soldiers of the Royal Presidio of Santa Barbara) and soldiers from Fort Tejon State Historic Park as guests pay tribute to military veterans. The event includes a prayer, wreath ceremony, the playing of taps and a cannon and musket firing.

 

The Lompoc VFW will celebrate Veterans Day beginning at 11 a.m. at 100 E. Locust Ave. in Lompoc beginning with a drive-by by the Lompoc Police and Fire departments, followed by an invocation and welcoming address by the Lompoc fire chief and a presentation by Lt. Col. Joe Milner, commander of security forces at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The honor guard will present and retire the colors. Refreshments will follow. For more information, call Tom Williams at either (805) 736-8803 or 886-4972.

 

A ceremony honoring veterans will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center, 5679 Hollister Ave., in Goleta. There is no cost to attend. The event includes a flag-raising ceremony, veteran roll call, patriotic music and a free barbeque lunch for all veterans, families and community members. For more information, call (805) 967-1237.