Veterans Day In Geneva: Activities Planned To Honor Veterans

GENEVA, IL — In a week-long celebration of Veterans Day, federally observed on Thursday, the American Legion Geneva Post 75 is presenting a rifle salute at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Third and State streets.

Later, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the post home, 22 S. Second St., the organization is hosting an open house with a raffle drawing, live music and cash bar. On Friday, the community has the opportunity to visit the Veterans Art Show from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m at the post's building. The show will feature works by several local veteran artists.

The community will also be invited to donate to the Gifts for the Yanks program on Saturday. The program supports hospitalized war veterans, and donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the post home.

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The post office and most banks will be closed in Geneva on Thursday in observance of the holiday that honors veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

Veterans Day, commemorated annually on Nov. 11, was first celebrated in 1919 to honor those who fought in World War I. It was initially called Armistice Day and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

The holiday’s origin is tied to the armistice, a temporary end of hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany, signed in France on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

It became Veterans Day in 1954, shortly following the end of the Korean War and less than a decade after World War II, after various veterans service organizations urged Congress to encompass veterans of all wars in their honor.

While some ceremonies, parades and services may be canceled or altered as the coronavirus pandemic continues, restaurants and other businesses will continue to show their appreciation for veterans and active military members.

Applebee’s, Bob Evans and Chili’s Grill and Bar are among the national restaurant chains offering free or discounted meals for veterans on Nov. 11, and 7-Eleven is offering a free cup of coffee or Big Gulp.

Other places, such as Golden Corral and Eat'n Park, have offers extended throughout November.

Veterans Day is somewhat related to, and sometimes mistaken for, Memorial Day, the federal holiday on the final Monday of May that is dedicated to those who have died while serving the United States.

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