KALAMAZOO, MICH. (WKZO-AM) – It’s the 11th day of the 11th month, and at 11 a.m. this morning, 98 years to the minute after the armistice was signed ending World War I, commemorations will be held honoring the nation’s veterans all over southwest Michigan and the nation.
Veteran’s Day was originally called Armistice Day to salute the survivors of the “war to end all wars.” But as more wars were fought and won, the holiday was repurposed to honor all living veterans, whether they served in peace time or in war.
Ceremonies at 11:00 a.m. will be observed at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, the Comstock VFW Post on Michigan Avenue, and the VFW posts in Marcellus and Vicksburg.
Veterans in Plainwell, Otsego and Portage will hold their ceremonies at the war memorials in their communities.
Kalamazoo is the only community that holds their event at a different time to accommodate anyone who wants to attend the Fort Custer service too. The ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the Rose Park Memorial near Veteran’s Bridge.
To mark Veteran’s Day, State Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, is proposing legislation to deter the theft of veteran’s grave markers in Michigan. The legislation would make it illegal to buy, receive or possess a stolen veterans marker or memorial. He says they are stolen and then sold for scrap, or to collectors.
“I want to thank former Senator Jelinek for bringing this issue to my attention,” Proos said. “I look forward to working with him and my current legislative colleagues to stop these grave robbers the best way we can — by cutting off much of their ability to profit from stealing from the graves of our veterans.”
The legislation would also stiffen the penalties for such crimes.
