Thank you to everyone who came out to the 7th Annual Los Banos Veterans Parade. Your show of support for all our veterans was appreciated. We certainly hope you enjoyed the parade.

This Friday is Veterans Day. Did you know that Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day? It was set as a holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on Nov. 11, 1918.

In1938, legislation was passed that Nov. 11 was to be “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’”

However, in 1954 after both World War II and the Korean War, veterans urged the 83rd U.S. Congress to amend the Act of 1938 by changing the word “Armistice” to the word “Veterans.” So, it was on June 1, 1954, that Nov. 11 became the day to honor American veterans of all wars.

After a few more years, another Act was presented, and Veterans Day was celebrated by different people on different dates. On Sep. 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law that returned the observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11. However, it was not until 1978 that this observance went into effect.

Here in Los Banos, our local veterans and volunteers will place more than 900 flags in front of homes and businesses on Veterans Day. This is part of a fundraising effort by the local American Legion & The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW Posts), and is referred to as the “Flag Program.” Through the Flag Program, flags are placed eight times a year on specific patriotic holidays.

To learn more, visit the website: losbanosveterans.org, and look under Community Services.

Patricia McCoy

Patricia McCoy is a US Air Force veteran and the chairperson of the Los Banos Veterans Parade. She can be reached at (209) 587-5033.