Lakewood Again Remembers Her Veterans

WWI 75 mm hollow shell inscribed with November 11, 1918 WWI armistice date, along with a Bible verse about beating swords into plowshares.


The First World War officially concluded with an armistice that went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. At that time, the conflict was thought to be the "war that would end all wars." Since that time, November 11th has been celebrated as a day of peace and honor for America's veterans. Originally intended to honor the veterans of World War I, the holiday was expanded to include all veterans, and in 1954, the name of the holiday was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

On the morning of November 9th, Lakewood's Garfield School will again host a Veterans Remembrance ceremony. There will be a 7:30 a.m. light breakfast served in the school's library, followed by an assembly of remembrance, after which veterans are invited to share their experiences with the various classes at Garfield. At the conclusion of these activities, veterans will again congregate in the library for a luncheon. Veterans and their family members need to notify Garfield School (216-529-4241) so that they can determine who will be in attendance.  

The Garfield 8th grade band, with choral members, are scheduled to play and sing "The American Veterans' Last Salute March," composed by Dad (Robert Rice) and me last year. The march was written for the benefit of the veterans of the United States. Dad is a former Harding music teacher, and a veteran of the U.S. Army band in WWII.

This event is always a heartwarming occasion. There's a huge amount of satisfaction derived by both students and veterans at the ability to interchange with each other on this very special day. Some of the veterans may arrive in full uniform from their time in the service. New veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts may well join with WWII veterans, as well as those from other conflict periods in our nation's history. Other veterans may come who have served during peacetime, their service being equally important to the security of our nation. 

I really believe that the Lakewood schools have done a great thing by honoring our local veterans in this way. Each of these veterans gave several years of their time in order to protect and serve our country, and all of them are acutely aware that many of their brothers and sisters-in-arms were not able to return to civilian life with them. Thousands of soldiers have been listed as missing in action from our nation's wars. Other thousands of their fallen comrades also lie in graves and in the waters, both here and abroad. Many veterans continue to endure afflictions incurred from their service times, as well. It is for all of these veterans, both living and deceased, that these commemorations are held here in Lakewood.

Additional veteran remembrance activities will continue on November 11th, Veterans Day, at 11 a.m. at Lakewood Park, with the city's own veterans observance. There will be a ceremony at the monument, followed by a reception in the Women's Pavilion. Again, veterans along with their families are cordially invited to attend.

Read More on Pulse of the City
Volume 6, Issue 22, Posted 8:20 AM, 11.04.2010