Veterans Day In Highland Park: How To Honor Military Personnel

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The post office and most banks will be closed in Highland Park and Highwood on Thursday in observance of Veterans Day, a federal holiday that honors veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

City officials are holding a "virtual" Veterans Day observance using video-teleconferencing software for a second consecutive year. The event will feature the Highland Park Police Department's honor guard, representatives of American Legion Post No. 145 and Jewish War Veterans Post No. 29.

A choir and brass quintet from Highland Park High School is scheduled to perform patriotic music, and Mayor Nancy Rotering is set to recognize Officer Richard Moritz of Highland Park police as a "Hero Among Us" for his service with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Capt. Jason Williamson, commanding officer of Naval Station Great Lakes, U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, State Sen. Julie Morrison and State Rep. Bob Morgan will share reflections on the service and sacrifice of the nation's veterans, according to organizers. The ceremony is due to begin at 11 a.m. and will be accessible online using Zoom software.

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.

Following Thursday's online event in Highland Park, Post 145 is hosting a Veterans Day luncheon from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Italian Kitchen, 648 Deerfield Road, Deerfield. All area veterans and their spouses are invited to attend.

Local veterans are also invited to VFW Highland Park Memorial Post 4737's Veterans Day celebration at 7 p.m. at the Legendary Wooden Nickel, 444 Lake View Ave., Highwood.

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