Let’s honor our veterans this Veterans Day

Taking a moment to pause and appreciate the men and women who have served and continue to serve to protect the freedoms of the United States of America is the purpose of what was once called Armistice Day and is now known as Veterans Day.

Originally established on Nov. 11, 1918, to mark the end of World War I, this day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to honor all veterans from all wars.

Please consider taking time this holiday to join in celebrating and honoring our service members. Doing so is not only meaningful to our veterans and active service members, but it also helps pass down a legacy of respect and gratitude to the next generation. Our children and grandchildren watch what we do and where we place our time and efforts.

What if the values that are expressed by future generations 100 years from now are determined by the seeds of honor planted with our time, stories and priorities? Will this future generation remember the cost of freedom and the gratitude we have for our veterans and service members? I believe they will if we show them.

If you are unable to attend an event, consider visiting one of the many veterans memorials in our region with your family.

Honor veterans by placing a yard sign at your home for the month of November. Call the Columbia Basin Veterans Center at 509-545-6558 for more information.

Veterans Day events

26th annual Tri-Cities Regional Veterans Day Parade: 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, W. Van Giesen St., West Richland.
City of Pasco Veterans Day Ceremony: 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, Volunteer Park, 1125 N. Fourth Ave., Pasco. Includes presentation of colors, remarks from the mayor and a keynote speaker. Following the ceremony, enjoy a dinner and gathering at American Legion Post 34, 1029 W. Sylvester St., Pasco.
Texas Roadhouse free meal (or voucher) for veterans & ceremony: 3:30-9:30 p.m. free meal; 11 a.m. ceremony, Monday, Nov. 11, 835 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Suite C, Kennewick. Proof of military service required (military ID, VA card, or discharge papers) for meal. All welcome to ceremony.
Columbia Basin Veterans Center’s Community Yard Sign Campaign: Starting Oct. 20, pick up sign at 1020 S. Seventh Ave., Pasco. Honor our veterans by placing sign at your home for the month of November. Call 509-545-6558 for more information.
Business support for veterans: Local businesses can display a sign inviting customers to make a small donation in honor of veterans. All proceeds support The Columbia Basin Veterans Center’s programs providing connection and support to veterans throughout the Tri-Cities. Call 509-545-6558 to participate.
Tri-Cities Veteran Resource Expo: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, Southridge Sports & Events Complex, 2901 Southridge Blvd., Kennewick. Connects veterans with resources for education, housing, employment, health services, workshops and more. Citizens and businesses are encouraged to find ways to be involved by donating or volunteering their skills and resources.

Visit a veterans memorial

Kennewick

Regional Veterans Memorial, Columbia Park. Features tallest freestanding granite structure in the U.S. honoring all military branches.
Cpl. Gerald Carmichael, U.S. Marine Memorial, located at Carmichael Drive, Garfield Street and Vineyard Drive. Recently refurbished, this memorial honors Kennewick’s first service member killed in the Vietnam War.
American Legion Veterans Memorial and VFW Veterans Memorial, Columbia Park, southwest of Playground of Dreams.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, southeast of the cable bridge on North Gum Street.
9/11 Memorial, Southridge Sports & Events Complex, 2901 Southridge Blvd. Dedicated on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.