Local veterans, residents observe Veterans Day with ceremonies
HOWELL — Veterans were celebrated and honored at ceremonies Friday as residents offered thanks for the sacrifices those who served made for their country.
"(It's) one of the most joyous days of my life because of all those that came before it and those that come after it and especially with all the sacrifices that were made," American Legion Riders Post 141 Director Dan West said. "That's what Veterans Day means to me. People who gave their life."
West, who served in the U.S. Army, was among those honored Friday, Nov. 11, at ceremonies in Howell, which included a panel discussion at Howell High School and a veterans salute at the historic courthouse in downtown.
"It's just basically a time to be with our friends in the military. Remembering everyone that's came before, and I've lost a few. I spent some time overseas. It was short lived, a little over three years," said Pete Williams, who served in the Marine Corps.
Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, was first observed on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day to honor veterans of all wars.
During Howell ceremonies, cadets from the Howell High School Air Force Junior ROTC program invited six veterans, including Livingston County Veteran Services Director Ramon Baca, Amanda Priest, Angelo Depollo, Armando Ramos, Bill Goldthwait and Jeff O'Brien, to take part in a panel discussion.
Participants were asked about what branch they served in, whether they volunteered or were drafted, their fondest memories, habits they developed in the service and their advice, among other things. All six participants actively enlisted. The years of service across the six spanned from 1971 to 2021.
They spoke about their time in the service helping them become disciplined, learn professionalism, work ethic, how to show up on time, and not take things for granted.
Following the panel discussion, a ceremony was conducted in front of the historic courthouse.
American Legion Post 141 Adjutant Laura Goldthwait, Senior Vice Commandant Edwin Dessori, Howell Mayor Bob Ellis, State Rep. Bob Bezotte, Mona Shand from Elissa Slotkin's office and Howell American Legion Post 141 Commander Bobby Brite took part.
"We're here to honor the approximate 1 percent of our population that's put on a uniform and contributed to the defense of our country. I am a proud member of that group," Ellis said.
Others on hand included Army Capt. Erald Azizaj, Fowlerville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6464 Commander Butch Ogden, Baca and Disabled American Veterans Livingston County Chapter 125 Commander Mark Kovach.
The Brighton Veterans Day parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, from St. Georges parking lot traveling East on Main Street to the Mill Pond area. Following the parade, there will be a ceremony at the AMP with several speakers and a wreath laying at the Brighton Veterans Memorial.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Nearly 20 million veterans were honored on Friday, Nov. 11
