Miami Valley organizations and communities honor locals with Veterans Day events

Veterans Day is more than just another national holiday. Established in 1919 on the first anniversary of the 1918 armistice that ended World War I, it was then known an “Armistice Day.” Then in 1938, Nov. 11 became an official national holiday in the U.S. and in 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to more closely reflect its purpose—to honor all those who have served in all U.S. wars.

While many national ceremonies are held each year, including one at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Dayton has always had a history of celebrating veterans on that day. From local restaurants offering free or reduced-price meals to local communities decorating neighborhoods with American flags, the holiday has become one of the most important in our local area.

Last year, the Dayton Veterans Administration hosted its inaugural Veterans Day parade that ended up being held on one of the first snowy days of the year.

“It was 70 degrees two days before,” says Rhonda Moore, the public affairs officer for the Dayton VA Medical Center. “The snow came, and we had it anyway and it ended up being well attended.”

Moore says last year a group of her coworkers began talking about hosting a parade months prior to the Nov. 11 date. They recruited volunteers to help with it and asked them what they would like to see in the parade.

“We thought about clowns and different characters like from the Star Wars movies and we wanted drill teams and, of course, our veterans,” Moore says.

Veterans participated by driving antique cars and even riding horses. With the sudden, unexpected snowfall, more people ended up in cars than on foot.

Moore says that this year, they are working to incorporate some new ideas for the parade. Last year there were 35 entries. This year, as of press time, there are about 20 signed up but Moore says there are community partners like the Shriners and the R&L Carriers Eyes of Freedom who will be there as well.

“We hope to have the Air Force Band of Flight and a few other local artists,” Moore says. “We are still looking for more participants.”

The grand marshal of this year’s parade is Delbert Prater, a veteran who has been active in the National Golden Age Games, an annual event that offers sports competitions and health education sessions to demonstrate the value that sports, wellness and fitness provide to assist senior veterans live an active and healthy lifestyle. The parade and all Veterans Day events are open to the public.

Other local events designed to honor veterans include the annual Veteran’s Exhibit at the Centerville Washington Library. The event runs Nov. 11-13 and features uniforms, artifacts and other historical military items.

According to Joellen Ulliman, curator of Centerville-Washington History, a Veterans Day Ceremony will also be held Nov. 11 at Stubbs Park beginning at 11 a.m.

“We collaborate with the city of Centerville each year to honor veterans,” Ulliman says.

Stubbs Park is home of the Veterans Memorial and the brick walkway, and this annual event honors all veterans. The program will include color guard presentations from the Centerville VFW Post 9550, the Centerville Police Department and the Washington Township Fire Department. There will also be music and a wreath laying ceremony. After the ceremony, the public is invited to the Centerville-Washington library for a reception and open house.

The Miami Valley Military History Museum in Fairborn will host a Veterans Day open house Nov. 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The museum was established to preserve the memory of the veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces past, present and future.

Many local cities and communities are also hosting their own ceremonies Nov. 11, including Beavercreek at Veterans Memorial Park and Kettering at Delco Park Veterans Memorial Plaza.

Veterans looking for ways to celebrate the holiday at little to no cost will want to check out the Dayton Art Institute, offering free admission to the entire community Nov. 11.

Local restaurants are also honoring veterans with free or reduced cost meals and drinks. Many offer discounts to active-duty military and veterans year-round.