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 Ed Magee, left, of the Marine Corps League presents a certificate of appreciation to Gene Williams for Williams' work in bringing the Moving Wall, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to Shelbyville. The surprise presentation was made Monday at Dabora Inc., where Williams is employed. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
A year later, President Woodrow Wilson declared that Nov. 11 was to be celebrated as Armistice Day, in honor of those who fought and in celebration of the outcome. Armistice Day was formalized as a holiday in 1926. In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War had required service from new generations, the name of the observance was changed to Veterans Day. It is still an opportunity to honor those who served.
Bedford County's Veterans Day Parade will begin at 6 this evening.
The parade is sponsored by the United Veterans Council, a joint venture of the local posts or chapters of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The parade will take the normal local parade route. It will form along Lane Parkway, proceed south on Cannon Boulevard to Holland Street, east on Holland to the square, north on Main to Madison, and east on Madison to Celebration Drive (Calsonic Arena entrance).
Most local elementary and middle schools were scheduled to have Veterans Day observances today, including Cascade Elementary, Community Elementary, Eakin Primary, East Side Primary, Harris Middle, LibertySchool and Southside Primary.
ON THE WEB
A history of Veterans Day:
www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
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THANK YOU!!!
To all Vets and their families for the dedication, service and sacrifice they endured for the freedoms that we all take for granted.
Please remember Vets not just today but everyday.
I just came home from this parade and I must say that we were very disappointed. My husband did not want to go, saying it wouldn't be worth our time. We have a son who is currently serving and many family members who have served. I couldn't imagine not going out to support our veterans who gave so much. But this parade was a disgrace to those who gave their very lives so that we could line the streets and celebrate this very day. THANK YOU U.S. VETERANS FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR OUR FREEDOM! GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU!
I concur newgrandmommy. For those that participated in the parade, a very warm thank-you for honoring our veterans! I was wondering though, as I stood along the parade route on the square, why there is no high school marching band playing patriotic songs? We have (to my knowledge) 3 public high schools in this county capable of participating. Is there an ordinance that I'm not aware of that doesn't permit it? My apologies up front if there is. The WWII, Viet Nam, Iraq, and Afghanistan vets are due all of the support and respect that our town and our country can muster on their behalf. Many thanks to the emergency services, the political representatives, the scouting organizations, and the veterans that participated tonight as well as the clubs who were represented. And thank-you fellow veterans for making it possible to live in a country where freedom rings!
WHAT IS A VETERAN?
A Veteran whether active duty, reserve or retired is someone who, at one time in their lives wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America for an amount up to and including his/her life.
My husband that retired from the Army 42 years of service, attend the parade last night and I agree with others that responded to how disappointed there wasn't any school band or any kind of music at the parade,very few veterans, and little turn out, I don't understand Bedford County,
I want to thank those that did show honor ,the emergency services, and the Scouts,the Republican Ladies,
I thank all those Veterans that has giving us the freedom we have today, for tomorrow it could be taken.God Bless each and everyone of you.
Mrs. Libby
Shelbyville,Tn
If I am not mistaken, it was the fear of rain that had kept the bands from coming. They were all scheduled to be there but then dropped out due to the threat of rain. If some of the instruments got wet then they would be ruined and that would be $1000s that families would have to pay to replace or repair them if possible.
Last year they all did attend.
I know many if not all of the elementary and middle schools in the county have programs year after year. I was fortunate to be invited to Liberty last year and the year before by some of the soccer girls that I coach. The kids do a great job showing their respect with their programs and I consider it an honor when asked to attend. Many veterans do not have children in the school systems as they have grown up (mine have) and their only exposure to Veterans Day observances is through the parade. I'm not a war vet myself but I want to always show my apprecation and respect for those that did fight in times of turmoil amd trouble as they have always been my heroes. As rain did threaten the afternoon, I thought of the men who sat in the jungles in places like Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam as it rained for months on end.... wondering if they were forgotten at home. I can assure them at our home in the late 60's and early 70's as we sat down to say prayer for supper, Daddy always finished with "and Bless our troops overseas". That's something I took to heart and still do today with my family. Thanks guys! Y'all paved the way for us greenhorns that went in during the Carter and Regan years.
let me say this about the instruments in regard to weather and rain. If this had been the Christmas parade, those bands would have been playing regardless of the rain. Some of those instruments can get wet while others cannot so protect the ones that need protecting and support the veterans. I just think it was pure laziness on the bands that did not want to make an effort at all. BOOOOO!
I wonder how much the parade was affected by the number of illnesses going around at this time.
Potential participants and attendees may have been thwarted by the presence of a respiratory infection,sinus headache,upset stomach or other malady.
Those not stricken or in recovery might be taking care of those who have gotten sick or they might be trying to avoid coming down with the diseases.
Those we honor on Veterans Day had little choice about the weather they stood out in.
We have the option of protecting ourselves while we get out in the elements and while we stay indoors.
We have the option,the duty,the right and the privilege of honoring these brave heroes EVERY day as surely as they protected us throughout the year.