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11/06/2023 02:20 PMCLINTON
American Legion Post 66 will hold a Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m. at The Morgan School. The ceremony is open to the public and interested veterans who wish to participate.
Veterans Day is usually held on 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 as well as some speeches and readings from the students. 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 who 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. We encourage any and all veterans to come to the school,” Diedrich said.
Since Nov. 11 falls on a Saturday this year, Diedirch said the public ceremony will be held on Nov. 10. However, the Legion also hosts a free dinner for veterans on Saturday, Nov. 11. The dinner starts at 5 p.m. and is held at the American Legion Post located at 82 West Main Street in Clinton.
In the past, Diedrich has explained that 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 as an important reminder to the students of the sacrifices that have been made by veterans.
Diedrich hopes that by having the students participate in the ceremony, it will drive home the importance of the day for the students.
“I think it’s a tremendous tribute, and I think it will encourage the student nobody to see their peers up there doing the readings so they may pay attention and learn a little more about the day,” he said.
“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.