Saturday’s annual Veterans Day ceremony started at the Bellefontaine courthouse at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11, when Logan County veterans lowered the flag to half-staff and presented a 21-gun salute. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
Over 100 years ago, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, four years of fighting finally ceased. Known as the Great War, World War I started in 1914 when Austria’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. By the time the carnage ended, approximately 20 million soldiers and civilians had been killed.
That final day — November 11, 1918 — became known as Armistice Day, and, eventually, Veterans Day, when, in 1954, Congress declared it a national holiday to honor American veterans of all wars.
Since then, men and women have gathered annually to honor those who fought for their county. This year, the local celebration took place on Saturday, Nov. 11, starting at the Logan County courthouse in Bellefontaine before moving to the Holland Theatre.
At 11:11 a.m., the service began outside with members of the Logan County veteran’s memorial squad lowering the courthouse flag to half-mast, followed by a 21-gun salute by the memorial rifle squad.
Attendees then gathered at the Holland, where Joe Messner, first vice-commander of the Harold Kerr American Legion Post #173, led the pledge of allegiance. An invocation was given by Chaplain Bob McCulloch. Afterward, Messner introduced Mayor Ben Stahler.
“All too often we find those around us take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude,” Stahler said. “Today, on behalf of a grateful community, we salute the women and men who proudly wore the uniform of the United States of America.”
When the original speaker for the event had to back out due to illness, the organizers asked Tim Shaw, adjutant at Post #173 and veteran’s commissioner for the Logan County veteran’s office, to step in. Shaw, who graduated from Bellefontaine High School in 1993, tried college and factory work before joining the Marine Corps in 1997.
“I enlisted as an infantryman and found my calling and path,” he stated.
After sharing his military background, Shaw spoke about the importance of veterans organizations, which, he said, “fight the government to gain better care for veterans.” Unfortunately, they “are shrinking and will die off if we do not get membership from our younger generation.”
He encouraged people to join the American Legion, VFW, AMVETS or Marine Corps League, adding members don’t have to be veterans if they meet the required criteria.
Messner concluded the ceremony by inviting everyone to a veterans appreciation lunch at the Harold Kerr Post on Colton Avenue.
Tim Shaw, a member of the second district American Legion executive board, served as guest speaker at the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Holland Theatre. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)