Robert Fields | WVOW News
LOGAN Veterans and supporters gathered at Veterans’ Park in Logan on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour to honor those who have served their country in the military – whether in the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force or Space Force.
According to local veteran and pastor Donny Elkins, a life in the service is a life of service. Setting the tone for the Veterans Day ceremony with his opening remarks, Elkins reflected on the meaning of the holiday and the enduring legacy of military service.
"This is one thing that us veterans – we enjoy, because everything we did was for you. You're living in what we all lived for," he said.
Former state Senator Art Kirkendoll reflected on the region’s longstanding commitment to military service, highlighting both the sacrifices made and the community’s responsibility to honor those who served. He shared a recent effort to recognize local veterans and pointed to the area’s extraordinary contributions to the nation’s defense, including the often-overlooked role of women in the armed forces.
“We just got a monument a few months ago – I was able to help a lady get a monument. There was almost two hundred people that served just from 22 Holden in a sixty-five-year period in the armed services. If you do the number value of thirty-some thousand people in a county, our entire South is ahead of the nation and anybody, in men and women – don’t ever forget the women’s value – standing up and going into the service to protect the future of America,” he said.
Kirkendoll called for more comprehensive efforts to support veterans, addressing the need for improvements in their daily lives. He spoke about the importance of ensuring that no veteran is overlooked or left without essential resources, saying Veterans’ Day shouldn’t be the only day people keep veterans in mind.
“'You couldn’t do too much for veterans' is my point. So let’s don’t stop on what we’ve got. Let’s uplift their medical care, their daily activities, their housing and everything else, and get them to have people researching to see if any of them is left out on the sidewalk. I don’t want them on the sidewalk,” he said.
Veterans Day’s origins date back to the end of World War I.
On November 11, 1918, an armistice brought an end to the fighting between Allied forces and Germany, effectively concluding World War I. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day to commemorate the anniversary of the ceasefire. Initially, the day focused on remembering those who served in World War I, but in 1954, Congress passed legislation to expand its scope to honor all veterans. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill, officially renaming the holiday Veterans Day.
Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who died in military service, Veterans Day celebrates all who have served, whether in times of war or peace. The date remains fixed on November 11, regardless of the day of the week, to preserve its historical significance.
Many communities mark the occasion with parades, ceremonies, and moments of silence. At 11 a.m., a traditional time linked to the original armistice, events often pause to reflect on the sacrifices and contributions of veterans.
PHOTO | Robert Fields
Comments