The first Veterans Day – initially called Armistice Day — was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919.
Today, as nearly a century ago, we remember the heroism of our servicemen and servicewomen and honor our veterans.
The ‘Honoring Our Own: Honoring Those Who Serve Veterans Day Observance’ will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, from 2-4 p.m. at Todd Beamer High School (35999 16th Ave. S.). The program is designed for the public to invite veterans they know to attend and be recognized for their military service.
The annual event is sponsored by the Historical Society of Federal Way and the Noon Kiwanis Club of Federal Way.
Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell and other dignitaries will participate in the events, which include presentations by the Todd Beamer and Federal Way High School Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps. Local Boy and Girl Scout troops, the Federal Way Police Explorers, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2286 will be featured, and the Federal Way-based Harmony Kings Chorus will perform.
The keynote speaker will be retired Army Major General James M. Collins, who served for 35 years in active-duty Army and Reserve leadership roles including Deputy Commanding General and Chief of Staff for I Corps at Fort Lewis. Awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Collins, a former Weyerhaeuser executive, has also been active in the nonprofit sector as one of the founders of Hire America’s Heroes, launched in 2007, which encourages the business community to hire veterans.
Families of all generations are invited to attend this free event. Refreshments will be served at the end of the program.
[Note: This article previously identified Collins as an “Army Distinguished Service Medal-winner.” It was pointed out that one does not win this award; rather, he or she has it awarded to them. The verbiage has been updated accordingly.]
This 2014 photo shows Federal Way’s mayor marking Veterans Day with the installation of the South 320th Street flag. This year, the Veterans Day event ‘Honoring Our Own’ will be held Nov. 12 at Todd Beamer High School. RAECHEL DAWSON, file photo
