Here's what events are planned for Veterans Day in Columbus and other area communities
Each year, Americans come together on Veterans Day to honor all military veterans living and dead.
The federal holiday has its roots in World War I. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as Armistice Day on the first anniversary of the cessation of hostilities between Allied nations and Germany.
"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…," Wilson said at the time.
Nov. 11 became an official national holiday in the United States in 1938. Its name was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 by then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower so as to honor all veterans and not just those who had served in World War I.
This year, there are plenty of local ceremonies to attend in observance of Veterans Day. All of the following are planned for Friday unless otherwise noted.
Columbus
Join members of MILVETs in celebrating our military and veterans at Columbus' Veterans Day parade. The theme this year is "Sacrifice." The parade will step off from Nationwide Boulevard at noon on Nov. 10. The route will turn south on North High Street, west on Broad Street and end at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. The grand marshals are Lima Company 3rd Battalion 25th Marines & Gold Star Families and Colonel Tom Moe, who was a POW during the Vietnam War.
The annual Veterans Day ceremony at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 W. Broad St., is set to begin at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day. Comedian, actor and host of "The Price is Right" Drew Carey, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Cleveland native, will serve as master of ceremonies. Fallen Patriots Foundation CEO David Kim, recently named "Veteran of the Year" by Military Times, will be the keynote speaker. Also scheduled to speak is Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, who was 2 years old when his father died while serving in the military. Walsh lived on Columbus' North Side as a child and studied at Kent State University.
Dublin
The city's annual Veterans Day ceremony will be held at Dublin Veterans Park, 77 N. High St., at 11 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Lt. Col. Michael Kelvington, professor of military science and leadership at Ohio State University's Army ROTC.
Gahanna
The Veterans Memorial Committee of Gahanna will host an observance and memorial brick dedication from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 73 W. Johnstown Road.
Grove City
American Legion Paschall Post 164 and Veterans of Foreign War 8198 will host the annual Veterans Day service at 11 a.m. at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum, 3378 Park St. Stop by the center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to view the military exhibit featuring uniforms and memorabilia from Grove City residents.
Hilliard
The American Legion William R. Schnug Memorial Post 614 is hosting a Veterans Day parade at 2 p.m. Sunday. The parade is to step off from the Franklin County Fairgrounds and proceed south on Main Street to Scioto Darby Road, and west on Scioto Darby Road to Veterans Memorial Drive. Julian Smith, a northwest Columbus resident and World War II veteran, is to serve as grand marshal.
Marysville
A Veterans Day celebration will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Union County Courthouse Veterans Monument Plaza, corner of 5th and Court streets, Marysville. Simon Shover, a War of 1812 prisoner of war, will be honored posthumously. Retired U.S. Army Col. Salvatore Petrovia will be the guest speaker.
In the event of inclement weather, the event will be relocated to the Union County Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 233 W. 6th St.
New Albany
A free lunch and discussion entitled "Veterans Connect Us" will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany, 150 W Main St. Panelists will discuss working and living in New Albany from a veteran's perspective and share their thoughts on how communities can best support those who serve our country. In addition, New Albany Mayor Sloan Spalding will unveil updated plans for the city's Veterans Memorial at Rose Run Park.
Powell
Powell's annual Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at the Greater Powell Veterans Memorial in Village Green Park, 47 Hall St. Three new bricks will be dedicated into the memorial, which opened in 2009. The program will include performances by the Powell Community Band and remarks from Powell Mayor Dan Swartwout and Sean McCarthy, assistant director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.
Westerville
A dedication for the city's new Veterans Memorial at Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N. Cleveland Ave., will be held at 11 a.m. Retired Maj. Gen. Deborah Ashenhurst, who served in the Ohio National Guard for more than 37 years and now is director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, will be the main speaker for the dedication. Preceding the dedication will be breakfast from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., along with a 9 a.m. presentation at the Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave. Veterans eat for free; others cost $5.
Monroe Trombly covers breaking and trending news.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Here's what's planned for Veterans Day in Columbus and elsewhere
