By Cara Beth Lewis
November 11th, 1918 is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars,” and over 100 years later, November 11th, 2021 is Veterans Day.
Now… Why do we celebrate Veterans Day?
Here is how President Woodrow Wilson answers this question in 1919:
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
Several phrases and words stick out to me in President Wilson’s statement —
solemn pride, heroism, gratitude, victory, opportunity, and sympathy with peace and justice — and I think those words are why we celebrate.
Now, even though he was referring to Armistice Day, and we now recognize November 11th as Veterans Day, the meaning, honor, and purpose remain.
According to va.gov, “An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word ‘Armistice’ and inserting in its place the word ‘Veterans.’ With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.”
Here in Bladen County, Larry Hammond is a veteran who works to help his fellow veterans. Hammond is the Director of Bladen County Veteran affairs, and he assists Bladen veterans in obtaining compensation, insurance, housing, and more.
If you are a veteran in Bladen County in need of assistance, or if you know a veteran in need, contact Bladen County Veteran affairs at (910)862-6781 or veterans@bladenco.org.
Hammond served in the Coast Guard for over 26 years, and has served the veterans of Bladen County for over 28 years. As Director of Bladen County Veteran Affairs, Hammond is an advocate for veterans. Whether they qualify for compensation due to health conditions from their time in service, or if they need help applying for housing and state benefits, Hammond is there to help them.
Formerly a Lieutenant Commander in the Coast Guard, working with Air Sea Rescue, Drug Interdiction, and a recruiting, as well as serving as officer-in-charge of the President’s Honor Guard from 1980-84, and now filing claims for veterans in Bladen County and assessing their needs daily, Hammond says, “I’ve done a little bit of everything.” He added, “I’m just a Bladen County boy trying to help my fellow veterans.”
Read more about local patriot, Mr. Larry Hammond, here: Patriot Larry Hammond Has Served Country, Fellowmen
Also, Hammond will speak at the Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday in honor of Veterans Day.
Veterans Day is observed on the 11th of November each year, regardless of the day of the week that it falls on. This preserves the importance of the date, November 11th — the end of the war to end all wars.
We celebrate because we are thankful. We celebrate because we are proud. We celebrate because we have the privilege to be free people, thanks to our veterans — our heroes.
Happy Veterans Day to all, and a special “thank you” to our veterans here in the Mother County.
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