This year, Veterans Day is on a Tuesday.
The day has been observed in one form or another since 1919, when then-President Woodrow Wilson commemorated the first anniversary of the World War I armistice.
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations,” Wilson said at the time.
Congress renamed it from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954. It’s worth noting that this change came into effect after urging by veterans’ service groups to change it from Armistice to Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs website said.
When is Veterans Day 2025
Veterans Day will be celebrated on Nov. 11.
Many schools and companies will also be closed Monday in observation of the holiday. Most retail stores and eateries traditionally remain open, often offering discounts for military veterans.
How is Veterans Day different from Memorial Day
Besides being observed in two different months, the set purpose of Veterans Day and Memorial Day is different.
Memorial Day is observed the last Monday of May each year, and is meant to honor all who served and gave their lives for their country. Veterans Day is in November, and honors all veterans, both living and dead, who served in times of war and peace.
When and where are local Veterans Day events taking place?
Here are some Veterans Day events taking place around Stark County:
Alliance
The Alliance Veterans Council will honor U.S. military veterans at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Memorial Park on East State Street, across from McDonald’s restaurant.
Keynote speaker will be U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer A.K. Fullmer, a construction engineering technician with the Ohio Army National Guard, who has served since 2005.
The ceremony will begin with an invocation by the Alliance Veterans Council master of ceremony and American Legion 10th District Chaplain Frank Barnes.
Brewster
The village has scheduled a Veterans Day performance by area third and fourth grade students at 9 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Brewster Legion Hall, 320 Wabash Ave. S.
Canal Fulton
The Serving Area Military (SAM) Center, 8101 Manchester Ave. NW, is hosting a post-Veterans Day appreciation luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 14. The organization also is hosting a flag raising ceremony at 9 a.m. Nov. 7 at the facility.
Canton
Malone University’s Symphonic Band will hold a Veterans Day concert at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 in the Worship Center at the Johnson Center, 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW. The special guest speaker will be U.S. Army Chaplain Randy Heckert.
Green
The Veterans Day ceremony will take place at 10:45 a.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park, 1900 Steese Road.
The ceremony is to start with the presentation of colors led by Green Fire Honor Guard and the Green High School Junior ROTC, followed by the national anthem sung by the Green High School A Capella Choir.
Mayor Rocco Yeargin will address the audience and introduce the Green Veterans Advisory Commission members. Following the mayor’s remarks, Bill Burgess, a member of the Veterans Advisory Commission and a Vietnam veteran, will provide a keynote speech.
The MAPS Air Museum, 2260 International Parkway, will host its 13th annual Veteran Celebration, Voices of Vietnam, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Nov. 8. Tickets to the dinner are sold out.
Jackson Township
Stark State College, 6200 Frank Ave. NW, will hold a Veterans Day event from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 12 in room M-100 at the college Business and Entrepreneurial Center. Patrick Martinez, a Stark State alum and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, is the featured guest speaker. A light lunch will also be provided.
Kent State University at Stark, 6000 Frank Ave. NW, is hosting its Veterans Day Commemoration at 11 a.m. Nov. 10 at the Student Green. Keynote speaker is Patricia “Trish” McDaniel, a 1983 Kent State alumna and senior executive research scientist of chemistry in the U.S. Army.
Lake Township
Lake Middle High School, 709 Market Ave. SW, will host its annual Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11. All veterans and their families are invited. An informal morning reception for all veterans in the middle school cafeteria will take place at 7:45 a.m. The main program starts at 8:30.
Massillon
A Veterans Day observance is slated from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Massillon East Elementary School, 400 George Red Bird SE. The event is hosted by the third graders.
North Canton
A Veterans Day ceremony will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 in the main lobby of City Hall, 145 N. Main St., North Canton.
Perry Township
The Greater Canton Veterans Council has slated its Veterans Day observance for noon Nov. 11 at Perry High School, 3737 13th St. SW. Stark County Veteran of the Year Margaret DeLillo-Storey is to be recognized immediately following the event, which is held annually to benefit Stark County communities.
Plain Township
United We Stand, the township’s 11th annual salute to veterans, will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Central Fire Station, 1742 Schneider St. NE.
Includes reporting by USA TODAY.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Veterans Day events scheduled throughout Stark County
Reporting by Massillon Independent / The Repository
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