How Veterans Day is commemorated around the United States
Ninety-seven years ago, an armistice ended World War I, which was then the greatest conflict the world had ever seen. Armistice Day became Veterans Day in the 1950s and now commemorates the spirit of all U.S. military members. A look at how the day is being observed across the country:
___
PARADES OF PRIDE
Parades and other celebrations are being held throughout the country. Michigan is rededicating memorials in Kalamazoo and Bay City on Wednesday. Texas plans parades in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and Laredo, as well as a remembrance ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. New York City is holding its 96th annual parade, which is the largest celebration of service in the nation. Participants from across the U.S. will march up Fifth Avenue.
___
HONORING HMONG IN WISCONSIN
Wisconsin honored Hmong-Lao Vietnam war veterans with a monument in the northern city of Wausau, where the first Hmong families arrived nearly 40 years ago.
Groundbreaking was Tuesday at the Marathon County Courthouse. The bronze and granite statue is expected to be finished by May.
Hmong American Board President Kham Yang says Hmong veterans were known as the secret soldiers because few knew what they did for the United States during the Vietnam War. They fought surreptitiously for the CIA in Laos and faced persecution.
More than 7,000 Hmong now live in Wausau, a city of about 40,000.
___
TRANSGENDER HEALTH CARE
The Cleveland VA Medical Center is opening a clinic to serve transgender veterans.
The clinic will provide transgender veterans with primary care, hormonal therapy, mental health care and other services. All providers in the new clinic have a special interest in transgender care and say they will create a welcoming environment for those veterans.
A ceremony is planned Thursday afternoon to open the clinic, which current treats about 20 transgender patients.
The hospital serves more than 112,000 veterans annually with its inpatient and outpatient services.
___
RETURNING MEDALS
The family of a World War II veteran from New Jersey has his missing military medals back, thanks to another veteran who was rummaging through a flea market.
Nicholas Del Prete, of Toms River, bought the medals last month and contacted the Purple Hearts Reunited organization in a bid to find Army Maj. Anthony Sordill. He was a medical officer who earned the nation's third-highest decoration for valor, the Silver Star, in North Africa in 1943.
The group was able to contact relatives, and the medals were returned to the family during a ceremony Tuesday in Toms River.
Purple Hearts Reunited has returned medals and artifacts to over 150 families and museums.
Join the conversation about this story »