Veterans Day 2002 in Warren was sad in that the long tradition of a parade honoring those who served came to an end for lack of participation.
Veterans Day 2003 in Warren was joyous in that many concerned citizens rallied behind the Tribune Chronicle to restart the tradition. Parades have marked services every Nov. 11 since.
It's important that we never have a repeat of '02. We point that out now, not because of any participatory shortfall recently, but because participants need to adjust to some changes in this year's Veterans Day activities.
Since Nov. 11 falls on a Sunday, this year's Trumbull County Veterans Day celebration will take place on Saturday, Nov. 10. The ceremony, usually held at the Warren Community Amphitheatre, will be held at First Presbyterian Church. Unchanged is the 11 a.m. time for the ceremony and the 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. start time for the parade.
Veterans Day stems from the armistice that took place on Nov. 11, 1918, ending World War I with a cease-fire. As the cease-fire was announced, Europe erupted in celebrations as whistles blew and bells rang out. World War I ended with more than 10 million people dead and many political problems still unresolved. But what was then called Armistice Day was established.
The outbreak of World War II showed that the ''war to end all wars'' wasn't what it was supposed to be. We are now seeing the passing of the World War II generation, sometimes called ''the greatest generation.'' These are the people who lived through the Depression and then were called to fight the greatest war the world has ever known. A few years later many of them were called back to serve in the Korean War.
Fact Box
Veterans Day
Businesses, organizations and elected officials who want to participate in the Trumbull County Veterans Day parade should call 330-841-1696.
Awards will be given for best nonprofit, best local business, bet veterans group, best veterans auxiliary, best club, best community service organization and best youth group. There will also be a grand prize.
Veterans Day was created to honor on a single day the fallen dead and the living veterans of all the nation's wars. Nov. 11, the original Armistice Day, was chosen and was authorized by Congress to take effect in 1978.
We owe so very much to our veterans, regardless of what branch of service they were in or in what war they fought or if they never saw war but were prepared to defend.
Joining the Trumbull County Veterans Day parade is one of the best ways to honor our local veterans, fallen or otherwise. Signs on vehicles or banners carried by marchers allow elected officials, businesses and organizations to show everybody in attendance how much they support local veterans.
We encourage those who have the means to display their appreciation for veterans. Let's keep the spirit alive.