Saturday, November 11th was the US national holiday, Veterans Day. The celebration of the courageous heroes who have fought and still continue to fight for the country to keep citizens safe and secure. The town of Erie Celebrates these soldiers by a ceremony at the Erie Rec Center.
The tradition of Veterans Day started on November 11th 1954 when President Eisenhower signed a bill passed by congress that declared the 11th of November a national holiday to celebrate veterans, and has been a tradition in the country ever since.
Some ways that people celebrate this holiday is by creating social media awareness via posting, hosting parties, attending parades, putting flags on the deceased member’s grave, etc. Others honor them by supporting veteran-owned businesses, donating, or sending a card.
At Erie High, Randy Robinette, a science teacher who also served time in the military as an army medic, says it saddens him to know people take freedom and the pledge of allegiance for granted. He says “It’s an understanding about what we have” he explained, “it’s gotten to the point where half of my students don’t want to say the pledge because they think it’s goofy. At the end of the day it’s important, and without veterans the good, easy life we live wouldn’t be here.” Robinette wants everyone to be understanding of how important it is to honor our veterans and to thank them for the sacrifices they made.
Officer Cara Thoen, one of our school’s resource officers who responds to immediate conflict there, voiced that Veterans Day is important to appreciate the sacrifice that others made for them. Theon said that “It is important to recognize everybody who serves their country who gives us the freedoms we have today.”
On November 11th this year, CR5 and 5130, Erie High’s choir sang at the Erie Recreational Center for veterans, and others who wanted to celebrate Veterans Day. The Community Center honored these people by having a flag ceremony and serving refreshments. There was also a hometown hero banner unveiling, which is a program that honors everyone who has either served, or is actively serving as any first responder or military member. Military members were recognized and it was a very heart-warming celebration. The town of Erie dedlicates these traditions to honor these important people in their community, similar to how towns across the United States took the day to celebrate both those still away, and returned, and those who have fallen
