Do You Know Your Holiday? Veterans Day honors all veterans, living and dead, who have served in America's armed forces to acknowledge and thank them for their service to our country. It is a legal holiday celebrated on November 11th. Ceremonies traditionally begin at 11 a.m in recognition of the historical significance of the cessation of fighting between the Allies and Germany which ended World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
Observing Veterans Day is Easy: Take your child to the World War I eternal flame monument located on the grounds of the Suffolk County Historical Society at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 11th. Representatives of the combined United States Military Forces (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard) will hold a brief (approximately 15 minutes long) observance to honor all veterans who have served our country. There will be a short, but moving, ceremony organized by American Legion Post 273 consisting of a benediction, a speech, the playing of "Taps," and placement of a memorial wreath at the monument.
Have You "Hugged" a Vet Today? Don't have friend or relative who served in the armed forces? Here's an easy way for your family to thank a vet: send an online personalized card or two to a soldier stationed overseas. Reading the reactions of servicemen and women who have received one of these cards will make you understand how much the cards are appreciated.
Kid/Family Friendly Patriotic Websites:
- Find patriotic information and activities geared to your child's age here.
- Click here for a video about US Symbols and other interactive fun.
- Purchase a flag flown over the Capitol building. Find out how-to here. You can choose a day which marks a special occasion in someone's life. These flags make GREAT gifts!!
Read Together To Keep The Patriotic Spirit High At Home
Stop by the Riverhead Free Library before or after the ceremony to pick up some books that relate to this important holiday. Here are some of my favorites:
- Casey Over There by Staton Rabin
- Veterans Day by Leslie C. Kaplan
- Veterans Day by Marlene Targ Brill
- The Wall by Eve Bunting
- H is for Honor by Devin Scillian *
- Veterans Day by Jacqueline S. Cotton *
* These titles not in our library's catalog, but worth trying to locate.
