Letters: Pause and remember our veterans on Nov. 11

To the editor:

Veterans Day has a long history in our great country. It was first established on May 13, 1938. This was a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day. This was a day that was set aside to honor veterans of World War 1.

Many changes of date occurred throughout the years following World War II and the Korean Conflict. President Gerald Ford signed a bill into law on Sept. 20, 1975 which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to the original date, Nov. 11, to begin in November of 1978. We now celebrate Veterans Day to honor American veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Arthur Kirchhoff Unit No. 288, the American Legion Auxiliary of Hartley has recently been honoring our veterans with a free breakfast served on or near Veterans Day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this event will not be held this year.

This does not mean that we as an auxiliary have forgotten our veterans. We applaud all those who have and those who continue to serve in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Our local auxiliary regularly donates to the veterans' hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., the veterans home in Marshalltown and also participates in the Annual Stand Down in Sioux Falls. It is our hope and prayer that we can once again honor our local veterans next year with our breakfast.

The thought for today: Dear veterans, those of us who have not served will never fully understand the sacrifices you've made both in times of peace and war. We will never fully understand what you were required to do or how you were able to do it. We will never fully understand the depth of your scars. But what we can offer you is this: We see you! We recognize your humanity. We send you love that is gentle, patient and healing. With blessings and gratitude, we ask that you remember that you are loved and appreciated each and every day (author unknown).

Stop and pause on Nov. 11 to thank all veterans for what they so unselfishly did for all of us. God bless our veterans and God bless the freedom we have in the United States of America.

Kathy Wacker,

American Legion Auxiliary president,

Hartley