Niagara Region residents will be welcomed to mark Veteran’s Day on Monday at a ceremony at Niagara Falls Veterans Memorial in Hyde Park.
The observation of the holiday will begin at 11 a.m. and feature the thoughts of Falls Mayor Robert Restaino and others on the importance of the holiday.
The first celebration of Veterans Day came on Nov. 11, 1919, when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it as Armistice Day to honor World War I veterans. The holiday was celebrated with parades and a pause in business activities at 11 a.m. on that day.
The timing of the holiday is important because the end of major combat in World War I occurred at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when an “armistice” with Germany went into effect. It was designated a national holiday in 1938.
At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. The holiday now honors all those who served the country during war or peacetime.
Monday’s ceremony in Hyde Park will also see the Kiwanis of Niagara Falls unveil the newest veterans memorial banners installed in Hyde Park as part of the American Heroes Banner Program.
“There are 19 million veterans in our country, they signed a contract, a blank check, made payable to the United States for up to their lives,” said Stan Zimmerman, vice chairman of the Niagara Falls Veterans Memorial Commission. “We have out freedoms because they were willing to serve.”
In another Veterans Day observance, Niagara County officials are reminding residents to take part in Operation Greenlight.
The initiative calls for placing a green light in a window of a home or through a porch light in honor of veterans.
Niagara County Legislator Dave Godfrey, a Vietnam veteran, said the flagpole that carries the Niagara County and Purple Heart flags at the Purple Heart Memorial outside the Niagara County Courthouse in Lockport will be illuminated green through the month of November.
“Operation Greenlight is a coordinated effort by counties across the county to not only honor the men and women who served in our armed forces, but also highlight the services and programs available to help them through our local Veterans Services Agency,” said Godfrey. “We want our veterans to know that while we celebrate them on November 11, we are here for them all the time.”
Godfrey said the county Veterans Service Agency (VSA) in Lockport is staffed with professionals who can help veterans with anything they need including filing important paperwork, fighting for benefits, securing medical appointments, finding counseling and more. The Niagara County Clerk’s Office also runs the “Thank A Vet” program which entitles veterans to discounts on the purchase of goods and services at more than 500 participating businesses throughout Niagara County. Veterans can call the VSA at (716) 438-4090 for more information on any of these services.
Godfrey also encouraged residents to visit the Purple Heart Memorial during November and stop into the courthouse to see the veterans display in the rotunda, including the actual Congressional Medal of Honor earned by World War I war hero Frank Joseph Gaffney.
Other Veterans Day events on Monday:
Town of Niagara Lions hosting ceremony
The Town of Niagara Lions Club and the Town of Niagara Helping Hands will again host a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Town of Niagara Veterans Memorial Community Park, 7000 Joe Rotella Way (Lockport Road).
The ceremony includes welcoming remarks from Sylvia Virtuoso, town supervisor. The guest speaker is the Honorable James Faso Jr. of Veterans Court. The ceremony will also include prayers offered by Pastor Ron Maines, Forestview Church of God, wreath presentations from the Lions, Helping Hands and others.
Niagara Wheatfield High School student Morgan Giannantonio will perform the Star-Spangled Banner with her trumpet.
All veterans attending will be presented with an American Flag lapel pin and a small American Flag. Following the ceremony, the Helping Hands will provide refreshments in the Calvin K. Richards Community Center. Veterans as well as the public is invited to attend the ceremony and join us in honoring our nation’s veterans.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Calvin K. Richards Community Center.
Oakwood Cemetery hosting memorial event
Oakwood cemetery will hold a special Veterans Day ceremony on Monday where it will recognize 70 Niagara County veterans who have passed between 2023 and 2024.
The hour-long event will start at 11 a.m. at the flagpole at the cemetery’s entrance at 747 Portage Road. The veterans honored have served in World War II or the Vietnam War.
Oakwood normally has an event on Memorial Day recognizing those who passed away but it didn’t take place this year due to changes in the board and staff. That resulted in honoring them this Monday instead.
NU hosting ceremony
Niagara University will observe Veterans Day with a special celebration in honor of the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., former president of Niagara University and founder of its veterans program, and the Rev. Lt. Thomas M. Conway, a Niagara University alumnus and Navy chaplain who received the Navy Cross for giving his life to bring spirituality and peace to the crew of the USS Indianapolis.
Ortt will be a featured speaker at the event, and local artist Tyshaun D. Tyson will unveil a mural honoring Father Conway.
The 10 a.m. Monday ceremony will take place on the lawn between DePaul Hall and the library on the Niagara University campus. In the event of rain, it will move to the Gallagher Center Multipurpose Room.
Free meal for veterans
The Frequency Group, a boutique wealth management firm with more than 20 years of service in the Niagara Falls area, will honor local veterans and small businesses with a special gesture of gratitude. In collaboration with the Power City Eatery, The Frequency Group will be offering complimentary meals to veterans and small business owners in the community.
The event is an opportunity to celebrate and express appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who have served our country and supported local business initiatives.
The event takes place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at Power City Eatery, 444 3rd St. For any questions or additional information, please contact Patrick Mulready at 716.205.5510