2020 Honoring Our Heroes

VETERANS DAY

hoNoRiNg All who SERVED

Saluting Those Who Served Wednesday, 11 November, 2020

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November 11: A day to honor all veterans Metro Creative Connection The month of November is a special time for the nation’s veterans. While Memorial Day honors fallen soldiers and service people, Veteran’s Day, which takes place each November, is an opportunity to commemorate the efforts of all who have been in the armed forces, with a special emphasis on living veterans.

While people are encouraged to thank veterans throughout the year, Veteran’s Day is a particularly poignant time to show your appreciation for the men and women of the military.

Veteran’s Day takes place on Nov. 11 and marks an important moment in history. On Nov. 11, 1918, World War I, known at the time as “The Great War,” unofficially ended when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, took place between Germany and the Allied nations on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

World War I ended on paper when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice

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The Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home, 12505 S. 40th St. in Bellevue.

Day, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Armistice Day became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. However, after subsequent wars, including World War II and the Korean War, vet-

erans’ service organizations lobbied for Armistice Day to be revised so it would be more inclusive of all veterans.

On June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation to strike the word “Armistice” from the holiday’s

name in favor of “Veterans.” Since then, Nov. 11 has been known as “Veterans Day” and has honored veterans of all wars.

Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday in October for roughly seven years under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which sought to ensure threeday weekends for federal employees by celebrating certain national holidays on Mondays. But since Nov. 11 bore such significance, many states disapproved and continued to observe the holiday on Nov. 11.

In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed legislation to return the observation of Veterans Day to Nov. 11 beginning in 1978. Should the day fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government observes the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively, according to History.com.

The United States isn’t the only country to celebrate its veterans. Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and France also commemorate the veterans of World War I and II on or near Nov. 11 as Remembrance Day or Remembrance Sunday.

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Gretna Legion plans special events for veterans Courtney Brummer-Clark & Rachel George Staff Writers The Gretna American Legion Post 216 will hold special breakfast and dinner events in honor of area veterans.

The Sons of the American Legion Gretna Squadron 216 invites all Gretna area veterans to a free breakfast on Nov. 7 from 7 to 10:30 a.m. at Billy’s Cafe, 20596 Hwy. 370.

Upon arrival, veterans will be greeted by a member of the Sons of the American Legion and presented a token for the free breakfast (tip not included).

On Nov. 11, Post 216 will hold it’s annual Veterans Day Dinner at 5 p.m. at the post, 11690 S. 216th St. The no-cost dinner will be available for all veterans, spouses and guests. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m., followed by guest speaker, Daryl Harrison, Area A vice commander of the American Legion Department of Nebraska.

The evening will also feature some presentations and acknowledgements. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reservations are encouraged for the event.

Numerous churches in neighboring Papillion will ring their bells at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Gretna area churches with bells — St. Patrick Catholic Church and Gretna United Methodist Church — among other metro area churches were invited to participate in the bell ringing at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, a tribute to all veterans and the 75th anniversary of World War II. Gretna American Legion Post 216 will also ring a bell at 11 a.m. in Peterson Park, 200 W. Angus St., with plans to include a small ceremony. The public is invited.

Ralston Legion’s Veterans Day event up in the air

By Austin Plourde Staff Writer Ralston American Legion Post 373 will likely not conduct its Veterans Day ceremony this year.

Ralston Legion Adjutant Lynn Bergman said in a Facebook message to the Ralston Recorder on Oct. 27, that the Legion does not have plans for Veterans Day as of presstime for this special publication.

Sarpy County Courthouse closed on Veterans Day File photo by Rachel George

The 2020 Gretna’s Veterans Day dinner will be served on Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. at Gretna American Legion Post No. 216, 11690 S. 216th St.

The Sarpy County Courthouse, Courthouse Annexes, and Sheriff’s administration will be closed Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Public safety/emergency services (jail and 911 Operations) will remain open.

Defenders of Freedom parade cancelled as result of COVID-19

By Sam Pimper Staff Writer The annual Defenders of Freedom Parade has been cancelled as a result of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The event, held by the Greater Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with city officials, has been ongoing for two decades straight. Health concerns, however, prevented year 21 from coming to fruition.

“None of us wanted to do it at all, we are a military town and it’s just gone on forever” said Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike, who serves as a non-voting member of the Chamber’s board of directors, of the cancellation.

But talking with Offutt Air Force Base representatives, it became clear that the base wasn’t able to provide any semblance of its usual numbers because of pandemic concerns. Hike added that participation from local schools’ JROTC programs wasn’t going to be in the cards either.

Fortunately, residents of the Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home will still have the opportunity to enjoy some festivities

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The Offutt Air Force Base’s 55th Wing was well-represented during the 2018 Defenders of Freedom parade along Mission Avenue. around 10:30 a.m. Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

“They’re going to do a flyover of the veterans’ home out there and also just a short little drive-thru parade – I think they are sending a couple of the base vehicles,” Hike said. “And we are also going to have some city vehicles, but it’s going to be

pretty short.”

Though disappointing, cancellations like the Defenders of Freedom Parade are unfortunate realities during times like these, the mayor said.

“We just had to do things differently this year,” Hike said.

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THANK YOU, OFFUTT AIRMEN & STAFF Photos courtesy 55th Wing Public Affairs

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THANK YOU, OFFUTT AIRMEN & STAFF Photos courtesy 55th Wing Public Affairs

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Papillion American Legion Post 32 plans Veterans Day ceremony Papillion American Legion Post 32 will host a Veterans Day ceremony which begins at 10:45 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the post, 230 W. Lincoln St. Refreshments will be offered by the Unit 32 Auxiliary.

The event is open to the public.

Papillion Times file photo Papillion Times file photo

Papillion’s Veterans Park includes a Blue Star Memorial, multiple benches and nine flagpoles.

Thank you for your

Service

Members of the Papillion American Legion Post 32 firing squad stand outside the legion hall during 2018 Veterans Day ceremonies.

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La Vista Community Foundation to hold virtual event for veterans The La Vista Community Foundation will hold a virtual Salute to Veterans on Nov. 11 via Facebook and YouTube.

Traditionally, the La Vista Community Foundation’s Salute to Veterans event is an in-person dinner and celebration attended by 600 people.

However, this year, because of COVID-19 precautions, the event will be a virtual presentation. The change presents an opportunity to expand the event and reach even more people this year.

The event will premiere on the La Vista Community Foundation’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel at 4 p.m. on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11.

The program will be one-hour long, and include speeches, tributes to all branches of the military and much more.

Keynote speakers for the event will be two wellknown veterans with ties to Nebraska: former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and University of Nebraska

Papillion Times file photo

La Vista’s Blue Star Memorial marker near City Hall, 8116 Park View Blvd. The flags represent each branch of service, plus a POW/MIA flag.

President Walter “Ted” Carter.

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55th Wing Public Affairs

Col. Gavin Marks, center, 55th Wing commander, visits the grave site of Jarvis Offutt, the namesake of Offutt Air Force Base, Oct 21, 2020. U.S. Army 1st. Lt. Jarvis Offutt, who the sprawling 4,000-acre base is named in honor of, was Omaha’s first World War I air casualty. Today, more than 10,000 people serve at Offutt, which is home to the 55th Wing, U.S. Strategic Command and the 557th Weather Wing among others.

Wing leadership honors base namesake with cemetery visit 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — The leadership team of the 55th Wing took time to honor and remember Offutt Air Force Base’s namesake during a visit to Forrest Lawn Memorial Park Oct. 21.

U.S. Army 1st. Lt. Jarvis Offutt, who the sprawling 4,000-acre base is named in honor of, was Omaha’s first World War I air casualty.

Offutt was serving with the Royal Air

Force’s 56 Squadron when he died from injuries after his plane crashed over Valheureux, France, on August 13, 1918. He was interred at the family’s plot at the cemetery in 1923.

“This is something I’ve been wanting to do since I arrived here,” said Col. Gavin Marks, 55th Wing commander.

“We hear and say the name a lot, while maybe not stopping to realize the sacrifice he and his family made in service to

our country. That is something we should never forget or overlook.”

Originally established as Ft. Crook, the base’s airfield was renamed Offutt Field in his honor in 1924.

The ceremony was attended by his mother and brother and featured an aerial salute.

“I know our teammates at the 56 Squadron have taken time out to visit the grave while they’re here training, so

it’s great to know that his legacy also remains part of their unit as well,” Marks said.

Following the National Security Act of 1947, the installation was transferred to the newly established Air Force and renamed Offutt Air Force Base in 1948.

Today, more than 10,000 people serve at Offutt, which is home to the 55th Wing, U.S. Strategic Command and the 557th Weather Wing among others.