Armistice Day

The 80th annual observance of Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, will feature a number of activities around Washington County to honor those who served their country in the armed forces. Col. Jean M. Shinbur will be guest speaker at the 9 a.m. ceremonies at Marty Snook Park. Currently the commander of the 74th Troop Command of the District of Columbia Army National Guard, Shinbur's professional military career began with her enlistment in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1975.

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.

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Festooned with flags, Memorial Square was damp and empty of people Tuesday morning, rain having canceled the Veterans Day parade. Several blocks away, however, more than 100 veterans gathered in AMVETS Post 224 to mark the day set aside for those who have served the nation in peace and war as members of the armed forces. "Veterans Day was named because peace, unfortunately, does not last forever," said William Vandrew of Marion, Pa., the officer of the day and past commander of the Chambersburg Area Joint Veterans Council.

CLEAR SPRING ? With music, poetry, pictures, speeches and a dose of red, white and blue, Clear Spring High School on Friday honored America's war veterans. A full auditorium heard the Blazer band play marches, the choir sing a military medley and Johnny Cash's tribute to the U.S. flag. Philip Surprenant of Odenton, Md., a past department commander of the American Legion in Maryland, described the bond veterans share through their oath to defend their country. Clear Spring social studies teacher James Hutson traced Veterans Day from its roots as Armistice Day, celebrating the end of World War I in 1918.

When Lewis Powell of Halfway died at the age of 101, he became the last World War I veteran to serve on the Maryland Veterans Commission. Because there's no else from his generation available to serve on the commission, the Maryland General Assembly is considering legislation to appoint a representative from the Persian Gulf War in his place. "It's too bad he didn't have a chance to pass the torch himself," said his son David H. Powell of Hagerstown. Lewis Powell served on the commission for 25 years, right up until his death in December.

CLEAR SPRING - With music, poetry, pictures, speeches and a dose of red, white and blue, Clear Spring High School on Friday honored America's war veterans. A full auditorium heard the Blazer band play marches, the choir sing a military medley and Johnny Cash's tribute to the U.S. flag. Philip Surprenant of Odenton, Md., a past department commander of the American Legion in Maryland, described the bond veterans share through their oath to defend their country. Clear Spring social studies teacher James Hutson traced Veterans Day from its roots as Armistice Day, celebrating the end of World War I in 1918.

shappell@herald-mail.com To understand why it is important to observe and respect the annual Veterans Day holiday, "all you have to do is look at the vets, from 20 years old to 90 years old," according to career serviceman Casey Jones. Several Hagerstown residents who served in the U.S. military regard Tuesday's holiday as one of the most important in the country, even if they believe many others do not share in the opinion. "Without vets, we wouldn't have a country," said Jay Mills, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War. "We'd all be speaking German.

I was humbled on Friday, Nov. 11, to speak to our community on Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor the service and sacrifices of those men and women who have served this great nation in the uniformed services. Most who know me and many who read this column know that I cherish the title “veteran” as dearly as Christian, husband, father and American. Veterans, over the years, have been saddled with a full range of characterizations by friends, foes and even by the citizens of the nation they serve.

Mont Alto honors its veterans MONT ALTO, Pa. - People from all generations gathered at the World War memorial in Mont Alto Sunday afternoon to pay tribute to the legions of veterans who have served the country. continued About 50 people, including an Honor Guard from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1599 in Chambersburg, attended the second annual ceremony hosted by the town. Councilman Doug Duffey, who organized the event, pointed out that while the memorial had been shot by a paintball gun last week, "It's still standing like all of you veterans.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- It was brief, poignant and it explained the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. In his brief, but effective keynote address, Harry M. Siegel of Falling Waters, W.Va., a disabled Vietnam War veteran, told the audience of about 100 at War Memorial Park that there is a "huge difference" between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Veterans Day honors all still living who served or are serving in the military. First called Armistice Day for the armistice that ended WWI, it was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all veterans.

I was humbled on Friday, Nov. 11, to speak to our community on Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor the service and sacrifices of those men and women who have served this great nation in the uniformed services. Most who know me and many who read this column know that I cherish the title “veteran” as dearly as Christian, husband, father and American. Veterans, over the years, have been saddled with a full range of characterizations by friends, foes and even by the citizens of the nation they serve.

Today, our nation pauses to celebrate the sacrifices of the men and women who put their careers on hold, leave their loved ones behind and embark on dangerous missions across the world to protect our daily freedoms. As U.S. Secretary of Labor, I believe that Americans who risk their lives to fight for our freedoms should not have to fight for a job when they come home. This week, the Department of Labor unveiled a series of new tools designed to address the fact that the unemployment rate for the post-9/11 generation of veterans has climbed to 12.1 percent - more than 3 percentage points above the civilian unemployment rate.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- It was brief, poignant and it explained the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. In his brief, but effective keynote address, Harry M. Siegel of Falling Waters, W.Va., a disabled Vietnam War veteran, told the audience of about 100 at War Memorial Park that there is a "huge difference" between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Veterans Day honors all still living who served or are serving in the military. First called Armistice Day for the armistice that ended WWI, it was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all veterans.

It was in the 11th hour, on the 11th day of November, at 11 a.m. in 1918 that a truce was agreed upon to cease all fighting and to bring an end to World War I. An estimated 16 million dead and 21 million wounded resulted from this world conflict. Some days later, this truce became known as Armistice Day. Later, it was changed to Veterans Day, and a national holiday. On Nov. 11, we should take a moment to acknowledge our veterans and their many sacrifices and contributions to preserve our way of life.

Donna Pile Allen has taught Washington County students about sex and marriage and Bester Elementary School students about table manners and etiquette. But her most important contribution during her 30-plus years of teaching in Washington County and West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle might be teaching students on both sides of the Potomac River about veterans and the debt that all Americans owe to them. On Monday, the Spring Mills Middle School in Berkeley County where Allen now teaches held its fourth annual celebration for veterans.

CLEAR SPRING - With music, poetry, pictures, speeches and a dose of red, white and blue, Clear Spring High School on Friday honored America's war veterans. A full auditorium heard the Blazer band play marches, the choir sing a military medley and Johnny Cash's tribute to the U.S. flag. Philip Surprenant of Odenton, Md., a past department commander of the American Legion in Maryland, described the bond veterans share through their oath to defend their country. Clear Spring social studies teacher James Hutson traced Veterans Day from its roots as Armistice Day, celebrating the end of World War I in 1918.

shappell@herald-mail.com At a Veterans Day observance in Smithsburg Tuesday, Maryland National Guard Brig. Gen. Jean M. Shinbur stressed the importance of honoring military veterans every day, not just once a year. Shinbur also urged people to volunteer their time to aid and honor those currently serving in the U.S. military at home and abroad. Though clouds threatened, rain held off during the more than 45-minute ceremony at Veterans Park in Smithsburg. Attendees were treated to the presentation of colors and a 21-gun salute by members of AMVETS Post 10, the Pledge of Allegiance led by members of Girls Scout troops 647 and 255, an instrumental rendition of the national anthem by the Smithsburg High School Band and a speech from Smithsburg Mayor Mildred "Mickey" Myers.

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Festooned with flags, Memorial Square was damp and empty of people Tuesday morning, rain having canceled the Veterans Day parade. Several blocks away, however, more than 100 veterans gathered in AMVETS Post 224 to mark the day set aside for those who have served the nation in peace and war as members of the armed forces. "Veterans Day was named because peace, unfortunately, does not last forever," said William Vandrew of Marion, Pa., the officer of the day and past commander of the Chambersburg Area Joint Veterans Council.

shappell@herald-mail.com To understand why it is important to observe and respect the annual Veterans Day holiday, "all you have to do is look at the vets, from 20 years old to 90 years old," according to career serviceman Casey Jones. Several Hagerstown residents who served in the U.S. military regard Tuesday's holiday as one of the most important in the country, even if they believe many others do not share in the opinion. "Without vets, we wouldn't have a country," said Jay Mills, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War. "We'd all be speaking German.

When Lewis Powell of Halfway died at the age of 101, he became the last World War I veteran to serve on the Maryland Veterans Commission. Because there's no else from his generation available to serve on the commission, the Maryland General Assembly is considering legislation to appoint a representative from the Persian Gulf War in his place. "It's too bad he didn't have a chance to pass the torch himself," said his son David H. Powell of Hagerstown. Lewis Powell served on the commission for 25 years, right up until his death in December.