Posted by Kathleen Olson on Nov 10, 2022

Veterans Day Program

Speaker Rick Olson, retired from the Air Force with 23 years, shared photos and stories of veteran club members and their families in addition to his own.

Veterans Day (no apostrophe) pays tribute to all American veterans, living or dead, but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance. November 11^th became a national holiday beginning in 1938. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971, then in 1975, President Gerald Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11th, due to the important historical significance of the actual date of the first Armistice Day.

Canada observes Remembrance Day with the poppy as a symbol. Great Britain also commemorates the war veterans at the same time with poppies. France and Australia also honor veterans on or near November 11^th.

The Arlington Veterans Memorial stands at Legion Park. It was dedicated in 2005 by American Legion Post 76 and Arlington V.F.W. #1561 to honor local military veterans from all the Armed Forces of the United States- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines.

Rick Olson shared photos of his father Richard C Olson Sr. working on radar during the Berlin Airlift at Templehof Airport in 1949, two years after the Us Air Force was formed from the Army.Rick Olson shared photos of his father Richard C Olson Sr. working on radar during the Berlin Airlift at Templehof Airport in 1949, two years after the Us Air Force was formed from the Army. He also shared his own basic training photo from September 1971 and his son Eric Olson receiving a medal from Vice President Cheney as the loadmaster with a crew that safely landed their aircraft after losing an engine to a rocket attack.

Paul Abramowicz shared photos of himself and his brother Edward, both member of the US Navy, serving on different ships that ended up in the same place for a cargo transfer. Paul’s commanding officer allowed him to helicopter to his brother’s ship during the exercise for the day.

Jonathan Ventura shared his official US Navy photo plus a photo of him with three others in combat gear. Jonathan is on the far right in the group of 4.

John Meno sent this message and photo: Grandpa John Vanderzicht served in the Navy during WWII before his civilian work where he co-founded the Oak Harbor Rotary Club and served as District Governor. Grandpa Gregoria Meno served in WWII in the Pacific. Uncle George Meno, my dad’s brother, served 30 years retiring as an O6. Brother Brandon, US Army Ranger, served 27 years, retiring as an O6 last week (see photo). Brother Geoff served 8 in the Marines Force Recon leaving as an O4. Brother Ryan and I failed the hearing tests.

Duane Rhodes’ father was a Marine at Guadalcanal in World War II for the Battle of Bloody Ridge. As a Marine himself, Duane shared the Marine tradition to celebrate the Corps birthday. November 10^th is the 247^th birthday, recognized by Marines across the globe as they celebrate their establishment in 1775 by the Second Continental Congress. The birthday, also known as Marine Corps Day, was originally celebrated on July 11 from 1799 until 1921 when Major General Lejeune issued an order to formalize the tradition and establish the official day to honor the birthday of the Marine Corps. The ceremony traditionally includes a guest of honor, a reading of General Lejeune’s birthday message and the current Commandant’s a guest of honor, a reading of Gen. Lejeune’s birthday message and the current Commandant’s message, recognition of the oldest and youngest Marine present, and a cake cutting. Duane noted that the oldest Marine cuts the first piece of cake, with a sword if possible, and presents it to the youngest Marine.