Remember service, sacrifice on Veterans Day

On Friday, Valley residents and veterans' organizations will observe Veterans Day. The day marks the anniversary of the armistice signed in 1918 to end World War I. A year later, President Woodrow Wilson issued his Armistice Day proclamation, part of which set the tone for future observances of the day, according to the Web site www.patriotism.org:

&#8220To 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 nation.”

It wasn't until after World War II, when a whole new generation of veterans joined their World War I brethren, that the original meaning of the day evolved into a time to honor all who had fought in all American wars. In 1954, an act of Congress changed the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day, and President Eisenhower called on all citizens to observe the day by remembering the sacrifice of all servicemen.

The Valley has long been home to many veterans. Veterans of the Vietnam War are particularly well-represented in the Mat-Su area.

In recent years, with U.S. troops actively engaged in conflicts around the globe - conflicts that could very well endure for years - the day has taken on more immediacy.

Valley residents, who have shown great appreciation for their veterans, will have several opportunities to observe Veterans Day around the area. On Friday, the largest Veterans Day event in Mat-Su takes place at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Wall of Honor, near the Mat-Su Visitors Center at the intersection of Trunk Road and the Parks Highway.

As has been the tradition, there will be guest speakers and a ceremony in which wreaths are laid by community groups at the base of the wall.

Also at 11 a.m., a Veterans Day remembrance will be held at the Byers Lake veterans memorial. The Wasilla post of the American Legion is offering transportation to the event by bus, which will depart from Wasilla at 8 a.m.

Additionally, American Legion posts in both Palmer and Wasilla, along with VFW posts in Palmer, Wasilla and Talkeetna are all holding open houses, as is the AMVETS Post 9, which is offering a potluck luncheon following the ceremony at the veterans memorial wall.

In these troubling times, remembering what veterans did for us is essential. For all that we have, and all the values we hold most dear, we are indebted to those who fought that these values might be preserved and to those who continue to fight.