On Veterans Day we gather to recognize our Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard veterans who have sacrificed, both in war and in peace, to protect America and the American way of life.

Armistice Day, as this commemoration was first proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson, recognized the day the cease fire was signed during World War I, putting an end to hostilities on Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m., on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Armistice Day was first designated to honor those who fought in World War I, which was said to be “a war to end war.” As we know all too well, it did not.

After World War II and the Korean War, Congress replaced the word “Armistice” with “Veterans” in1954 to honor all American veterans. Veterans include active-duty service members who are very visible in our area, and those we see in the news at ongoing operations overseas.

The majority of veterans we honor no longer are active, but have become our teachers, police officers, firemen and neighbors in our community. Whether they wear the military uniform today, or wore it decades ago, veterans represent an unwavering dedication and exemplify the highest ideals of service to our nation.

On Oct. 22 at the Bonney Lake City Council meeting Mayor Neil Johnson proclaimed Monday Nov.11 as Veteran’s Day and urged all citizens to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our service veterans. He acknowledged the Greater Bonney Lake Veterans Memorial Committee (GBLVMC), who will raise the American flag at 7 a.m. on Veterans Day at the site of the future Veterans Memorial, at the corner of state Route410 and Main Street, next to Sound Credit Union. The short ceremony will be followed by breakfast at a restaurant to be determined. The flag will be removed at sunset.

After the mayor’s proclamation, Greater Bonney Lake Veterans Memorial Committee President David Colbeth shared a story about his kindergarten daughter, Grace, practicing for a Veterans assembly to be held at her school. She sang the following to her dad on the way to school in the car:

To soldiers who have traveled on to countries far and near;

In peace and war you paid the price for the cause you hold so dear.

That we may wake each morning bright, and know that freedom rings;

Because of your great sacrifice, your country joins to sing.

Refrain: Thank you, oh thank you, men and women brave and strong,

To those who serve so gallantly we sing this grateful song.

The committee has also purchased banners, each with a gold star on a blue background to be hung along Veterans Memorial Drive to honor the many city residents who serve at nearby military installations, like Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the many veterans who upon discharging from the military, call Bonney Lake home.

Gold star highways are usually dedicated to a service member who died in battle. There’s usually a remembrance plaque about this person’s life somewhere along the road. Such recognition will be incorporated into the memorial. There is also the American Gold Star Mothers which was formed shortly after WWI to provide support for mothers who lost sons or daughters in the war. The name came from the custom of families of service men hanging a banner called a Service Flag in the window of their homes. The service flag had a star for each family member in the armed forces. Living service men were represented by a blue star, and those who had lost their lives were represented by a gold star. So now you know the history behind the gold star banner.

Greater Bonney Lake Veterans Memorial Committee is a small but active group. They have accomplished much since organizing in 2008.The City renamed Sumner-Buckley Highway to Veterans Memorial Drive at the groups urging and after years of searching, a spot for a new drive-by Bonney Lake Veterans Memorial will find its home in the decommissioned storm water retention pond at Main Street and SR 410. The original plan is in the process of being slimmed down after the intersection improvements there.

The memorial will be visible from the road, approximately the size of the temporary sign at the location. The design would incorporate the star design presently used by the committee. Colbeth said the committee, which has 501(c)3 nonprofit status, is well on their way in fundraising, but estimates the cost to be comparable to the Lakewood Fallen Officer Memorial ’s $80,000 price tag. The committee is looking for members to join them. Their next meeting is Nov. 14 at 5:30p.m. at the Bonney Lake Senior Center. Their website is www.gblvmc.org. Donations are welcome on their website or may be mailed to: GBLVMC, PO Box 7380, Bonney Lake, WA 98391.

Did you know Applebee’s invites veterans and active duty military to come have a meal on them on Veterans Day? It’s their way of saying thanks for their service. I confirmed that the Bonney Lake restaurant is participating.

Recently, 11 high schools from across the state competing in the fifth annual Sunset Festival of Bands field show on Oct. 26 in Sumner. The teams were judged on their musicianship as well as their visual presentation. Some staged elaborate scenarios to accompany the music. Bonney Lake offered paid tribute to “The Lord of the Rings”– for which it won first place honors among the smaller schools. Did you miss this band competition? I did. But no worries, Bonney Lake High School Band will be one of over 30 bands competing in one of the largest veterans events around, the Veterans Day Parade in Auburn. The official start of the11 a.m. parade is Main Street and E Street NE and proceeds west on Main Street to A Street NW on Saturday, Nov. 9.

The National Veterans Day Committee and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have once again selected the city of Auburn as one of the few regional sites for Veterans Day Observance in 2013.The observance includes an American Legion breakfast, a Remembrance Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, a Static Display& Exhibit Showcase on South Division Street, and an Auburn Noon Lions Luncheon. Auburn will have a return visit of The Wall That Heals, a Vietnam Veterans Traveling Wall. The half-scale replica of the Washington, D.C.-based wall will be open for viewing Friday, Nov.8 to Monday, Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park. The exhibit contains58,249 names of those killed or missing inaction from the conflict. The mile-long parade along Main Street will include military units, veteran marching groups, service organizations, drill teams, community and scouting groups, antique cars and floats as well as honor guards. Crowds will be treated to patriotic music from marching bands and performances from drill teams. Bring the kids, your family and friends and your flags for this patriotic salute to veterans. The 48th annual event will pay special tribute to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

For more information, visit www.auburnwa.gov/events, or contact the Auburn Parks, Arts &Recreation Department at 253-931-3043.

These are just a few of the many events in the area to honor our veterans. Please take time to say thank you.