Veterans Day remains rooted in our nation's history.
 
Despite the federal government’s attempt to move Veterans Day to a Monday and create another three-day weekend, the day remains where it began, rooted in history and symbolism.
Veterans Day marks the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day on the eleventh month, originally Armistice Day, the end of World War I, veteran historian Larry Huffman told the Rotary crowd Monday.
In the 1960s, Congress attempted to move the day from Nov. 11 to the fourth Monday in October.
“This was a gift from Congress that veterans universally and totally ignored,” Huffman said, as veteran groups were steadfast in marking the day on the date with historical significance. In 1978, Congress “gave up,” Huffman said, and changed the day back to Nov. 11.
Even today, American Legion Post 96 members will mark the occasion Friday just as they have for nearly 100 years, with a ceremony that ends with a wreath laying by Gold Star mothers and is followed by a lunch of bean soup and cornbread. This year the 98th ceremony is the same as the original.
The American Legion has strong ties to Veterans Day, Huffman said. The original Armistice Day left thousands of American soldiers in Paris after the war was officially over; it would be months before the United States could get them all home. In that space, the service members decided to form an organization that would support veterans at home, and to make sure people didn’t forget veterans’ sacrifice.
Today, Huffman asked that we continue to remember.
“It’s always appropriate to seek out a veteran and ask how they’re doing, and to find out what veterans are all about,” he said. “You know the saying: If you can read a newspaper, thank a teacher. If you can read in English, thank a veteran.”
In other business Monday:
  • The Lima Rotaract Club received its certificate of organization and the members of the club, based at UNOH, received their pins. Club members raised several hundred dollars for the Allen County Children Services’ Adopt A Family Program by auctioning off Christmas crafts made from pallets.
  • The club will be ringing bells for the Salvation Army Dec. 17. Those interested in participating should contact Drew Fields.
  • Through November, the club will be collecting nonperishable food items for West Ohio Food Bank, and new or gently used coats, gloves, scarves and hats for the Salvation Army.
  • Mark your calendars now for the Dec. 12 Christmas luncheon.
  • Carl Berger is soliciting help for the annual Special Needs Christmas Party Dec. 10.
  • The annual report is now available for club members and can be picked up at the end of each meeting.