An estimated 75 U.S. military veterans, friends and supporters turned out Thursday morning under gray skies at the Edmonds Veterans Plaza to salute all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Originally called Armistice Day to honor those who served in the First World War and subsequently renamed Veterans Day in recognition of all veterans, the observance is traditionally held on Nov. 11 in remembrance of the end of that great conflict. With the signing of the 1919 Armistice, five years of bloody warfare ended as the guns went silent at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
“This is a day dedicated to all veterans,” began VFW Post 8870 Chaplain Dan Doyle in his welcoming remarks. “Memorial Day is more limited – it honors those who gave the last full measure.
“Today we honor all those who signed on the line and thereby put their lives on the line to serve and protect the United States of America,” he continued. “These veterans essentially signed a blank check that could be paid up to the price of their very lives. No one plans or strives to be a veteran – it’s a consequence of having made the decision to go in and serve. Veterans make contributions both in peacetime and wartime. They return home to serve their families, their community and this country in numerous ways. As a nation, we have a great responsibility to not just thank them (they don’t ask for thanks), but to respect what they’ve done.”
Doyle went on to point out that with our now all-volunteer military, fewer than 1% of Americans serve.
“Remember us in your prayers, recall what we’ve been through,” he concluded. “Our service has been an honor and privilege, and we’d do it all again.”
At the conclusion of his remarks, Doyle was joined by other VFW members to distribute various service pins. These included pins to all who served during the Vietnam era (1955-1975), surviving spouses of deceased Vietnam-era veterans, and recognition pins for all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
— Story and photos by Larry Vogel
Where and when was this event announced?
It was not publicly announced other than through the VFW.
Larry obviously knew about it; why weren’t readers informed that it was to take place?
It was not an official event that was open to the public. We were invited to take photos.
It has been open to the public in prior years; perhaps the VFW can explain why it no longer is.
COVID concerns (better word than restrictions, which I said earlier) is what I was told.
I really wish there had been a public announcement. I lost my husband in Vietnam when our daughter was 8 months old. Every year on this date we search for an event such as this to attend together. So very very sorry to have missed being there.
This is a shame that honoring Veterans was kept in silence. Having been a member of the VFW in previous years (not locally), being a retired combat Veteran myself, AND a City of Edmonds employee that helps maintain the site, this is bothersome. Maybe in the future there will be better communication. Veterans should be honored. With 75 people there, I didn’t notice much COVID masking or social distancing in the photos. All I can say is Semper Fidelis.