The crowd stands for the National Amthem in George Washingotn Park in Centralia on Verterans Day, played by the Centralia High School band.
An American Legion member holds a flag in George Washington Park in Centralia on Veterans Day in 2019.
An American Legion member holds a flag in George Washingotn Park in Centralia on Verterans Day during an assembly to honor all veterans.
The wreath presentation portion of the assembly to honor all veterans at George Washingotn Park in Centralia on Verterans Day.
The wreath presentation portion of the assembly to honor all veterans at George Washingotn Park in Centralia on Verterans Day.
The Centralia High School band playing America the Beautiful at on Veterans Day during as assembly to honor verterans sponsored by the American Legion.
A crowd of military personal and civilians gather at George Washingon Park in Centralia to celebrate Veterans Day.
An assembly sponsored by the American Legion Hodge Post 17 was held at George Washington park to honor veterans of all branches of the military on Monday Nov 11 — Veterans Day.
Veterans Day is a day set aside to honor veterans from all branches of the military: the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines— living or dead.
The assembly drew about 75 to 100 people of all ages who gathered in George Washington Park to honor and celebrate veterans on Monday.
“It is especially pleasing to receive the respect of the community for our service. Today, as we honor our veterans, let me enjoin you to remember to thank our veterans for their service,’ said Colonel Ronald H. Averill during the event.
The crowd listened to the Centralia High School band play a rendition of the National Anthem, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and then was lead in prayer to start the assembly.
The event included a wreath-laying ceremony that served as a ritual of remembrance for all of veterans that lost their lives. Multiple wreaths were laid upon a cross as the crowd watched in silence. People who laid wreaths included: William Anhult, Julia Blackledge, Duke Farris, Mike Webb, and Steve Hansory.
The assembly featured a performance by the Centralia High School band. The band played the National Anthem, America the Beautiful, and a song that included the songs of each branch of the military. Veterans and family members clapped when the song of the branch of the military they represent was played. Members of the American Legion stood in a circle around the crowd holding American flags.
Averill, who served in the army during the Vietnam War, gave a speech that highlighted the history of Veterans Day and what it means to Americans today. Col Averill spoke about the Treaty of Versailles signifying the end of WWI and one year later in Nov of 1919 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov 11 the first commemoration of Armistice Day. In May of 1938 Nov 11th was made a legal federal holiday.
“The Armed forces have become the generator of social change, providers of skill training in the trades, and upward mobility in our society,” said Averill.
Averill also spoke about the way other countries, Great Britain, France, Australia, and Canada commemorate veterans of the world.
“The men and women who serve in the armed forces of the United States serve with distinction and are unquestionably the most capable fighting forces ever assembled by any nation,” he said.
Averill also recognized the 100th anniversary of the Centralia Armistice Day Tragedy that occurred in 1919 and honored those whose lives were lost. He delivered this speech in front of the Sentinel Statue in Washington Park which honors the Legionnaires killed in the Centralia Armistice Day Tragedy— Warren Grimm, Ben Casagranda, and Arthur McElfresh. “I believe that it is important that we not let the Armistice Day Tragedy define our veterans who we honor today,” said Averill.
The assembly ended with a salute and a prayer.
