THE HISTORY of VETERANS DAY - Courtesy of US Department of Veterans’ Affairs
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NOVEMBER 2014 Published by Greene County Department of Human Services since 1976 THE HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY - Courtesy of US Department of Veterans’ Affairs World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on No- vember 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and be- cause of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m. The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words: Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reach- ing war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples. On May 13, 1938, the 11th of November in each year was made a legal holiday - a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace & thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." The day was primarily set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954 - after World War II required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day proclamation which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this an- niversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordi- nate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible." SENIOR CITIZEN’S ROUNDTABLE NEWS SENIOR NUTRITION SITES: is published monthly by Each site serves a hot noon-time lunch, Monday - Fri- GREENE COUNTY day for a suggested donation of $3.00. All meals in- DEPARTMENT of HUMAN SERVICES clude: Meat/Alternative Entrée, Vegetables & Fruit, 411 Main Street, Catskill, NY 12414 Bread, Milk & Dessert. We ask that you call at least 719-3555 Toll Free (877)794-9266 one day ahead if you wish to be included in the lunch [email protected] count. Centers are closed on legal holidays and inclem- ent weather. TO SUBSCRIBE: In addition, each center has certain programs and activi- Do you have computer access? ties ongoing. Please see page 3 for further information. Then Go Greene) with the RoundTable News! Help us save printing & mailing costs each month - thus allowing the Department to redirect the money to core RIVERTOWN SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER services. Plus you would receive a FULL-COLOR 2nd & Warren Sts., Athens VERSION of the RoundTable News! If interested, just (518) 945-2700 send a note with your name & email address to: [email protected] Tami Bone, Senior Service Center Manager US Postal delivery: Please contact the address/phone JoanAnn Rouse Shane Dillon number above. John Lawrence Lana Marrone TO ADVERTISE: The RoundTable News accepts paid advertisements. * Acra Senior Service Site For further information, contact Ken at 719-3555. Acra Community Center, Old Rte. 23B, Acra GREENE COUNTY DEPARTMENT (518) 622-9898 of HUMAN SERVICES Sandra Sherman, Aging Services Aide EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Staff: Elaine Cherrington Therese McGee Ward Business Manager - Ken Brooks Coordinators: * Catskill Senior Nutrition Site Aging Services - Connie Bentley at Washington Irving Senior Center Nutrition - Tezera Hoovler 15 Academy Street, Catskill Volunteer Services - Ruth Pforte (518) 943-1343 Office Staff: Andrea Benjamin-Legg Gethen Proper, Meal Site Manager Rose Bundy Cortney Carlson Martha Schilling Maureen Murphy Carol Provost Gwen Starke Danielle Kane-Wade * Coxsackie Senior Nutrition Site Youth Case Worker - Carrie Vedder at Town of Coxsackie Senior Center Drivers: Mansion Street, Coxsackie Hamlet Bus Janet Osborn (Former Knights of Columbus Hall) Nutrition Vans Patrick Murphy & Dave Mokszycki (518) 731-8901 Bethany Village Case Manager Patricia Gessner Renee Raffiani, Meal Site Manager The office is open 8:30a.m. - 5p.m. Monday thru Friday, with the exception of July & August (4:30p.m.). * Jewett Senior Service Site Agency staff specialize in a variety of subjects. Jewett Municipal Building WHILE WALK-INS CAN SOMETIMES BE Route 23C, Jewett SEEN, STAFF WHO CAN BEST ASSIST (518) 263-4392 YOU, MAY BE UNAVAILABLE. WE RECOMMEND YOU CALL AHEAD FOR Gayle Ruvolo, Meal Site Manager AN APPOINTMENT. Staff: MaryAnn Brink GREENE COUNTY SENIOR SERVICE CENTERS ACRA SENIOR SERVICE CENTER COXSACKIE SENIOR SERVICE CENTER JEWETT SENIOR SERVICE CENTER Aging Information & Assistance/ Aging Information & Assistance/ Aging Information & Assistance/ Medicare Minute: Medicare Minute Medicare Minute: 2nd monthly Wednesday 3rd monthly Monday, 11 a.m. 4th monthly Friday 11 a.m. 11 a.m. Genealogy class: Mon./Wed. 10:30a.m. Cairo Crafters: 1st & 3rd monthly Wednesday Blood Pressure: 2nd Monday, 11 a.m. 1 p.m. Blood Pressure: Exercise Class: Tues./Thurs. 2nd monthly Tuesday 10:30 a.m. 11a.m. Knitting: Tuesday, 11a.m. Line Dancing: Friday, 10am CATSKILL SENIOR NUTRITION SITE RIVERTOWN SENIOR CENTER Aging Information & Assistance/Medicare Minute 2nd Mon of month, 11 a.m. Aging Information & Assistance/Medicare Minute 2nd Thurs of month, 11a.m. 1st Mon. of month - “Movie Time” - 12:30 p.m. —————————— Tuesday & Friday: Exercise 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CENTER ACTIVITIES Sponsored by Town of Catskill 2nd & 4th Tues. of month: Crafters 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. * Mon. & Wed. Senior Choir - 10:30 a.m. * Mon.: Crafters - 1 p.m. Wednesday: Certified Zumba Gold classes, 10 a.m. Karaoke 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. * Tues.: Line Dancing - 10:30 a.m. Weight Watchers - 11a.m. Thursday: Cards, Games, Billiards 1:00 p.m. - done * Wed.: Paint with Bill - 10 a.m. 3rd Thursday, 11a.m.: Blood Pressure Screening BINGO - 10:30 a.m. * Thurs.: Qiqong - 10:45 a.m. Friday: Group games * Fri.: Exercise Class - 11 a.m. (“Mind Your Mind”, “Name That Tune”, etc.) 11:30 a. m. – Lunch served 3 Annual Village of Athens Victorian Stroll Saturday December 13, 2014 The Rivertown Senior Center has formed a Ladies’ Bil- Starting at 1pm & ending with liards Club. It meets the first and third Wednesdays every month from 1:00pm – 2:00pm. Charlie D’Agostino Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park at 5pm and Al Ramm instruct the ladies in the art of the game. For more information, call Tami Bone at 945-2700. Activities at Rivertown Senior Center Holiday music & sing along Handbell Choir performances Baked goods & Chocolate fountain Senior Angel table Face painting Holiday BINGO with prizes Thrift Shop open 11a.m. till 4p.m. In photo above: Coach Charlie D’Agostino, Kay Brun- Trolley-stop for horse-drawn carriage rides ner, Joann Sommers, Liz Jarvis, Joyce Pellicano, Martha through village McPartland, Coach Al Ramm and Agnes Duncan. Rivertown Seniors Enjoy Autumn Brunch . and a visit from Congressman Chris Gibson 4 PLEASE BECOME ATHENS VICTORIAN STROLL A SENIOR ANGEL Sat. Dec. 13 1pm - 5pm The Senior Angel Committee The Greene County Department of Human Ser- will be serving hot chocolate & coffee vices would like to invite you to become a Senior An- at the Rivertown Senior Center.