SOLON — At 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, an armistice (temporary cessation of hostilities) went into effect between the Allied nations and Germany effectively ending World War One. In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of what was then known as Armistice Day saying, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.” Armistice Day was to be observed with parades, public meetings, and the suspension of business starting at 11:00 a.m.
In 1938 Nov. 11 of each year was made a legal holiday, and still known as Armistice Day. In 1954 Congress amended the act by striking out “Armistice,” and inserting “Veterans” due to the massive mobilization necessitated during World War Two, and the then-recent conflict in Korea. For a brief period in the early 1970s Veterans Day was observed in October, but President Gerald Ford returned the holiday to November 11, where it remains to this day.
Friday, Nov. 11 the Solon High School hosted a Veterans Appreciation program honoring the sacrifice of all of our men and women who have served and featuring members of Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460. This year’s keynote speaker was Dan Dall, a veteran of the United States Air Force and the Iowa Air National Guard as well as a 33-year firefighter with the City of Cedar Rapids who retired at the rank of Battalion Chief. Three of Dall’s four sons have served with two having been deployed to Afghanistan during the same time period.
Chief Dall urged the attendees to not only thank our veterans but to seek out ways to help and serve them, particularly in their mental health needs.
Air Force and Iowa Air National Guard veteran Dan Dall delivers the keynote address during the annual Veterans Appreciation program Friday, Nov. 11 at the Solon High School.