American Legion Post 66 will hold a Veterans Day Ceremony at on Friday, Nov. 11at 10 a.m. at The Morgan School. The ceremony is open to the public and interested veterans who wish to participate .

Veterans Day is held each Nov. 11 to honor those who have served the country. The day was originally known as Armistice Day and marked the day the Allied Forces and Germany signed an armistice during World War I. President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day in 1954.

The day has a special meaning to those who have served as well as those who have family who served. In order to honor the day, each year Post 66 conducts a ceremony at The Morgan School. The ceremony will feature music performed by students and veterans in attendance will be invited to say a few words to the audience if they so choose. The event at The Morgan School is open to the public.

Joe Diedrich, one of the organizers of the ceremony, said that the post is still looking for any Clinton veterans that would like to participate in the ceremony. No uniforms are required and those with questions can contact Diedrich at 203-901-0945.

“It’s a fantastic ceremony. The students and staff who served or have families that served are also recognized,” said Diedrich.

The ceremony was held last year but due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was scaled down. Now, Diedrich said the ceremony is back in full swing. “It’s the first time fully back in two years,” said Diedrich.

Diedrich said the day is important because it provides the opportunity for some of the veterans to receive a simple “thank you” from the public. Diedrich said it also serves an important reminder to the students of the sacrifices that have been made by made by veterans.

“We certainly like to see the veterans be recognized for their service but we also really want the younger generations to realize that freedom isn’t free and what has been sacrificed to allow for the rights and freedoms that they enjoy now,” said Diedrich.