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All ages are invited to attend the event planned for Veterans Memorial Park
While they are heroes that are honored all year-round, the first weeks of November often mark a special time to remember our country’s veterans.
Since 1954, the United States has marked the anniversary of “The Great War,” also known as World War I, and it’s end with a holiday each Nov. 11. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in France, but it wasn’t actually seven months earlier that the fighting ceased. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the beginning of the end really came about as the Allied Nations and Germany went into a “temporary cessation of hostilities” on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. This means, as far as history is concerned, Nov. 11, 1918, was the “war to end all wars.”
To honor the occasion, it is Nov. 11 that has been chosen as the nation’s Veterans Day. No matter the day of the week the date falls, the day is celebrated not only as a significant day, but a chance to honor veterans from all wars for their service.
For clarity, while Memorial Day and Veterans Day are both intended to be patriotic dates on the American calendar, it is Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday in May each year, that honors those who lost their lives, making the ultimate sacrifice for our country. However, Veterans Day is intended to honor all veterans, from all wars, at any time.
This weekend, the Lower Gwynedd Township’s administrators are pleased to host the 12th annual Veterans Day Ceremony. Slated for Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, the day’s event will be held at Lower Gwynedd’s Veterans Memorial Park, at the intersections of North Bethlehem Pike and Penllyn Pike in Spring House.
No matter the weather, rain or shine, this celebration will be moved to the Lower Gwynedd Township Building should there be inclement weather. The building is located at 1130 N. Bethlehem Pike, also in Spring House. A decision will be made and posted on the Lower Gwynedd Township website on Friday.
According to a press release from the township, the day will include remarks by veterans from all of the branches of the Armed Forces. There will also be patriotic music played by the Wissahickon Middle School Wind Ensemble, as well as the Bethlehem Baptist Church Men’s Choir and the Wissahickon High School’s Camerata. Additionally, there are planned participants from the Ambler-based Daniel W. Dowling American Legion Post 769, as well as local Boy Scouts troops.
After the day’s festivities, several area restaurants are contributing toward a free “Taste of Lower Gwynedd” refreshment reception. Foods from Arpeggio BYOB, Fireside Bar & Grille, Il Giardino Italian Cuisine, Spring House Tavern, Vic Sushi, and Wawa will be served near the seven-foot metal “Wreath of Honor” sculpture, which was dedicated in 2006, immediately after the ceremony.
All ages of guests from in and around the community are welcome to attend. Free parking is available. If you have any questions, contact Lower Gwynedd Veterans Day Committee Chairman Bill Wanger at 215-646-5302 or visit the township’s website.
