The Home Page Network

Today is November 1, Veterans Day, a federal holiday that is meant to honor all veterans of the uniformed services who served or are still serving during times of peace as well as war.

In November of 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “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…”

Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day in 1938 by President Eisenhower. The day’s purpose remains the same: to honor and celebrate the service of all US military veterans.

This year in Wellsboro, local veterans and their families were honored and celebrated with a parade different than in years past. The Tioga County Office of Veterans Affairs, along with the Wellsboro Police Department, formed a caravan on Central Avenue in front of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church. From there they paraded past the elementary schools, went on up to the high school, and ended at the middle school.

The pride that President Wilson spoke of over 100 years ago was seen today in our hometown. Staff and students showed their pride with cheers and shouts of “thank you”. From all of us here at The Home Page Network thank you for sacrifices you have made for our country. Thank you for your service.