Ceremonies to honor Vets

November 08, 1999

The 81th annual observance of Veterans Day on Thursday will feature activities around Washington County to honor those who served their country in the armed forces.

n A Veterans Day program at 7:30 a.m. at Wal-Mart on Wesel Boulevard will feature guest speakers and a flag-raising ceremony by the Marine Corps League.

* U.S. Army Reserve Major Ronald L. Bowers, a former Washington County commissioner, will be guest speaker at the 9 a.m. ceremonies at Marty Snook Park in Halfway.

* Victor Riston, past commander of the Maryland State American Legion, will be guest speaker at 10:30 a.m. at a Clear Spring High School Veterans Day assembly.

* The oldest living World War I veteran in Washington County will be honored at the American Legion Home in Williamsport during ceremonies from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Maryland State Sen. Donald Munson, R-Washington, will be keynote speaker.

* Robert Johnson will be guest speaker at Veterans Day ceremonies in front of the Washington County Circuit Court building at 11 a.m.

Johnson is the Maryland American Legion alternate national executive committeeman. A past state commander, Johnson is also on the newly formed 21st century ad hoc committee.

* A program at the Funkstown American Legion Home will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at the memorial on the point along Alt. U.S. 40.

During many of the ceremonies, wreaths will be laid in memory of those who died in the service of their country.

Public officials as well as military representatives will be in attendance at all of the events.

Armistice Day celebrated the end of the fighting in World War I - on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill renaming the holiday Veterans Day in 1954.

- Marlo Barnhart

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