On Nov. 11, more than 100 community members supported local veterans in the annual Veteran’s day 5K
This past weekend we recognized our Veterans locally with our second annual Veterans Day Run, with the start/finish line at the American Legion Post 452 on North Main Street. It was a grand event, attracting more than 100 participants. There was something for everyone with both a 5K-run or 1-mile walk for veterans and active military or civilians. The event culminated with an awards ceremony, food once again provided by Blueplate of Mullica Hill and your favorite beverage.
Our community actively supports our veterans and the foundation of that support over these last several years has been our Deputy Mayor Dennis Clowney. An Army veteran himself, Clowney has made it his mission to establish programs in town to recognize and benefit those who volunteer to protect our freedoms. He created our local Veterans Commission as a permanent committee within our local government structure. He has been the township committee member designated as its liaison since the commission’s inception. Clowney has also introduced several veteran-friendly policies in town including tax abatements for disabled vets and hiring practices that give a special consideration to those who serve our country. He actively coordinates with the Gloucester County Office of Veterans Affairs to ensure all programs available there are accessible to our hometown heroes. Learn more about those offerings on the Gloucester County website (http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/depts/v/vaffairs/verterandiscounts.asp).
President Woodrow Wilson initially established the current Veterans Day on Nov. 11, 1919 as Armistice Day. It recognized the one year anniversary of the armistice with Germany that led to the end of World War I, which went into effect at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918… the “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” Armistice Day was meant to exhibit “solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service” in that war to end all wars. In 1945, there was a movement to amend this recognition to include the service of all veterans in all wars, not just those who had died. By 1954, support for this change had grown and President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Bill replacing Armistice Day with Veterans Day. He clarified the meaning of the day in his proclamation by stating “in order that a grateful nation might pay appropriate homage to the veterans of all its wars who have contributed so much to the preservation of this nation”.
Recent times, perhaps more than ever, confirm the significance of an American who steps forward and declares their willingness to sacrifice their life in defense of our democracy. Think about that every time you see someone in uniform and make it a point to give him or her a special consideration at that moment, thank them for their service, perhaps pick up their breakfast tab. Another president said it best: “On Veterans Day, and every day, let us show them the extraordinary gratitude they so rightly deserve, and let us recommit to pledging our full support for them in all they do.”
