By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN
NEWPORT — Leo Paquin reflected on the history of Veterans Day during his address before approximately 75 spectators Sunday morning on the Newport Common.
“In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars, said the former Commander of Brewster-Gould-Lee-Rollins Post 25, American Legion, of Newport.
Paquin said when he was asked to give the Veterans Day address he didn’t realize at the time that this Veterans Day was especially significant.
“It was 100 years ago today—at the 11th hour on the 11 day of the 11th month when the armistice began, which ended World War 1,” he related.
“It was a conflict so bloody and horrific that many optimistically referred to it as the ‘war to end all wars.’ Sadly it wasn’t”
On Nov. 11, 1938, a new holiday known as Armistice Day was born, he stated. Paquin said in the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veteran of all wars.
He then touched on the history of the American Legion, chartered by an act of Congress in September of 1919. “This newly founded Veterans Service Organization offered its members the opportunity to continue to serve America long after they hung up their military uniforms for good,” he told the bundled up audience on a chilly morning.
By the end of its first year, the American Legion had more than 843,000 dues paying members. Today that number has grown to two million.
Paquin said in 2017 New Hampshire Legionnaires volunteered nearly 29,000 hours for community service programs; performed more than 600 funeral honor ceremonies for local veterans; gave nearly $87,000 in scholarships to 147 deserving New Hampshire high school graduates; gave nearly $47,000 emergency aid, $158,000 to youth programs such as scouting the American Legion baseball and collected 914 pints of blood.
“In a few minutes when you hear the rifles fire and the firing of the cannon, remember this is our way of honoring all veterans who have served and thanking veterans and their families,” Paquin concluded.
Post 25 Commander Bruce Richardson welcomed the gathering promptly at 11 a.m. Peter Lovely led the Pledge of Allegiance and Amanda Merrigan sang the National Anthem. Gavin Lovely a senior at Newport High School recited the Gettysburg Address and Gordon Smith, a World War II veteran fired the cannon
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.