November 10, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
Members of a grateful community gathered Friday morning at the county complex to honor military service men and women in a Veterans Day weekend ceremony hosted by American Legion Post #122.
This year takes on a special significance because Veteran’s Day falls on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Richard Buford, Vice Commander of the American Legion Department of Tennessee and District Membership Chairman, was guest speaker at Friday’s observance and recounted the history of the beginnings of Veteran’s Day and the American Legion
“Veterans Day. What does it mean?
“Originally it was called Armistice Day and this was a celebration of those people who served in the great war. The war to end all wars, World War I. An act of Congress five years after the war ended established Armistice Day and that was to honor the World War I veterans. In 1954 Congress changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor World War II and Korean War veterans and from then on we have celebrated this day as Veterans Day,” said Buford.
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“The Armistice was signed to end World War I and the war and hostilities ended on the 11th month, on the 11th day, and in the 11th hour. Sunday will be November 11 and it will be Historic that 100 years later it falls on that same day,” continued Buford.
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“The American Legion was started as a result of World War I. Five officers in France saw the casualties on the front lines of trench warfare and poison gas and they met and said we need an organization to support the needs of our returning troops. An act of Congress in March 1919 set the guidelines for the membership of the American Legion. Once that law was passed 586,000 veterans joined the American Legion within the first nine months. The first convention was on October 18, 1919 in Minneapolis Minnesota. This year we had our 100th national convention in Minneapolis,” said Buford.
Although the American Legion remains a strong support organization for veterans, Buford said membership has declined significantly in recent years across the country.
“The American Legion is the largest service organization in the world supporting veterans. Our four pillars are veterans, rehab for our veterans, community, and national security. Today we have almost 4 million members not only in the United States but in 15 other countries. The American Legion is a very important part of your community but across the country our American Legion Posts are dying. At the end of World War II 97% of our veterans joined the American Legion but after the end of the Gulf War and the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts only 3% joined. We need you to be part of the American Legion family. It’s not just for veterans. If you are a direct descendant of someone who served in the military you can be a member of the sons of the American Legion. Its $10 per year and there are a lot of benefits of being in that program. Women can be a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Presently the American Legion has 3.8 million members. At one time we had 20 million members. In 10 years projections are we will have less than one million members. I encourage you to take an active part in this local Post so we can continue our programs to benefit your community,” said Buford.
The program began with a performance by the DCHS Chorus and Band and the presentation of colors by Boy Scout Troop 347. The scout leader led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Local minister Don Rigsby opened with prayer and Legion Commander William Edmonds made welcoming remarks. Judy Redmon, President of the Ladies Auxiliary introduced the guest speaker and Adjutant Ronnie Redmon closed the program.
Afterwards, veterans boarded a school bus where local law enforcement and firefighters led the motorcade in parade fashion down Congress Boulevard to the Public Square for the placement of a wreath by the veterans at the memorial monument on the grounds of the courthouse. Josh Moon then blew taps to bring the day’s observance to a close.
Veterans and other program participants were then treated to a lunch at the county complex hosted by the Senior Citizens and Director Pam Redmon and members of the American Legion Post #122.