Veterans Day services will honor those who sacrificed for country

On Nov. 11, Col. John Holwick, Fort Gordon's garrison commander, will be among the many active-duty personnel taking part in Veterans Day observances.

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"It's to recognize the service, commitment and sacrifices of all veterans," said Holwick, who will be the featured speaker at North Augusta's event at the Wade Hampton Veterans Park at 10:45 a.m. "We honor the veterans of war and the veterans of peace who provided for the common defense of our nation."

A parade and other events at veterans' memorials are scheduled throughout the day. Schools and many other organizations hold events before Veterans Day.

Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day and commemorated the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918.

In 1954, the name was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in honor of those who had fought in World War II and the Korean War, according to a history of Veterans Day at the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site, www.va.gov.

Later the same year, President Eisenhower issued a proclamation stipulating that Nov. 11 be set aside as a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

There are numerous observances scheduled throughout the area on Nov. 11.

Here are a few:

- 9 a.m., Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home.

- 10 a.m., CSRA Veterans Day Parade down Broad Street.

- 10:45 a.m., American Legion Post 71, Wade Hampton Veterans Park, North Augusta.

- 11 a.m., Veterans of All Wars Monument, Fourth and Broad streets.

- 1 p.m., Heroes Overlook, Riverwalk Augusta at 10th Street.

-7:30 p.m., Veterans Day concert, Grace United Methodist Church, North Augusta.