Albany and America honoring U.S. veterans

ALBANY — For 98 years, Americans have remembered those who have served the country in uniform on Nov. 11., first as Armistice Day, and then, since 1954 as Veterans Day.

This year, for the 99th commemoration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has broadened the tradition of observance and appreciation to include both veterans and military families for the entire month of November.

In a White House news release Wednesday, President Donald Trump declared November to be National Veterans and Military Families Month.

“During National Veterans and Military Families Month, we honor the significant contributions made by American service members, their families, and their loved ones,” Trump said. “We set aside this month surrounding Veterans Day to hold observances around the country to honor and thank those whose service and sacrifice represent the very best of America. We renew our Nation’s commitment to support veterans and military families. They deserve it.

“Our veterans are our heroes. Our Armed Forces have preserved the security and freedom that allow us to flourish as a Nation. They have braved bitter winters, treacherous jungles, barren deserts, and stormy waters to defend our Nation. They have left their families to face danger and uncertainty, and they have endured the wounds of war, all to protect our Nation’s interests and ideals established during the Founding.”

According to the president, families often bear the burden of sacrifice and they too deserve to be honored.

“Our military families endure many hardships along with those who defend our nation,” Trump said in the White House release. “They are separated from their loved ones for months on end and frequently relocated across the country and around the world. They often live far from their extended families, and they know what it is like to celebrate holidays and milestones with an empty seat at the table.

“Many military spouses face the task of making ends meet while their loved ones are away and of securing new employment with each change in duty station. Children of service members often grow up living a nomadic life — periodically calling a new place “home” and adjusting to different schools, trying out for new sports teams, and making new friends. In these lives of frequent change and transition, however, our incredible military families not only survive, they thrive.”

Honoring those who have served is a patriotic duty, the president said.

“It is our patriotic duty to honor veterans and military families,” Trump said. “As part of our efforts to answer President Lincoln’s charge to care for those who have ‘borne the battle,’ I have asked the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to lead the nation in a month of observances across the country to honor our veterans.”

In Albany, the Albany Exchange Club will host, at this week’s Southwest Georgia Regional Fair, one of the state’s largest Veterans Day celebrations, which will include a replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Field of Flags and the Field of Crosses, according to Club officials.

“We are going to have one of the largest veterans ceremonies in the state,” Exchange Club member and event organizer Ralph Paustian said. “We are going to open our fair up Tuesday by recognizing our veterans by giving them a plaque and a one year membership to Chehaw park. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, we are going to be recognizing vets on our stage. We are going to have the ROTC out there with rifles and the color guard. We are going to have some patriotic songs.

“And then Saturday is our big day. World War II and Korea vets are our special guests, but all vets are welcome. We are going to show them the tomb of the unknown soldier, the Field of Flags and the Field of Crosses. Then we are going to take them over to the dining hall and feed up to 200 of them.”

According to Paustian, all veterans get into the fair free all week and on Saturday, all vets and their families get in free.

For more information about the Veterans Day program at the Exchange Club Fair, call (229) 434-1405.

Other organizations around Albany will host a variety of Veterans Day activities including breakfasts and celebratory meetings. Contact individual organizations for times and places.

American Legion Post 512, located at 815 Willie Pitts Jr. Road, will host two meetings on Nov. 11, one at 3 p.m. and another at 6 p.m. All veterans are welcome, organizers say.

Lake Blackshear resort and Golf Club is offering all veterans and active members of the military a round of free golf this week, Monday through Friday, at the newly renovated Georgia Veterans Golf Course in Cordele. Reservations for tee times already are being taken.

Georgia Veterans State Park also is home to a Military Museum that pays tribute to U.S. veterans from the Revolutionary War through present day. Visitors can learn more about the history of U.S. veterans and see up-close medals, uniforms, artillery, vehicles, aircraft and more.

World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta grants is giving complimentary admission to all military members (active duty, reserves and retirees) year-round, but as a show of gratitude on Veterans Day to the men and women who serve the country, the attraction is extending a special offer to military families as well.

Through Nov. 12, members of the U.S. armed forces may purchase up to four half-price general admission tickets for their friends and family to join them in visiting the attraction. Tickets may be purchased with a valid armed forces ID card at the attraction’s ticketing windows.