Mayor’s Column: As Veterans Day approaches remember those who served every day
“The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.” Calvin Coolidge
Veterans Day is a day set aside to thank and honor those who have fought to protect our freedom. We honor those who served in the military in both wartime and peacetime. While Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, we should also remember those who lost their lives. Special thoughts should go to those families who lost a loved one whose remains never returned to American soil.
On Nov. 11, 1918 the Germans signed the Armistice and an order was issued for all firing to cease, ending World War I. In 1938, Congress passed a bill that each Nov. 11 “shall be dedicated to the cause of world peace and… hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt made the day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and, for 16 years, the United States celebrated Armistice Day with ceremonies, parades and religious services.
Following World War II, leaders of veterans’ groups supported a change to make November 11 a time to honor all who had fought in various American wars, not just in World War I. The name was officially changed to Veterans Day by Act of Congress on May 24, 1954.
Veterans are an honored part of our community. They are our parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. We should be grateful to veterans every day for protecting the freedom that we often take for granted.
** The Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation will hold its 13th Annual Birthday Bash on Friday, Nov. 13 from 6:30 p.m. until midnight at Lucien’s Manor in Berlin. The Foundation furnishes Teen Lounges in hospitals to enhance the quality of life for teens with cancer and other life- threatening illnesses. Tickets are $130. For more information, call (856) 784–0615 or visit www.arvf.org.
**Santa Claus has arrived at the Voorhees Town Center! He will be available for photographs Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about holiday events, visit www.voorheestowncenter.com.
** In an ongoing effort to continue to increase communication with our residents, Voorhees Township is now on Twitter and our Twitter name is @VoorheesTwp. There is a link on our website www.voorheesnj.com that you can click and it will direct you to our Twitter page.
