The oldest Veterans Day observance in the nation and the largest parade
west of the Mississippi.
LEAVENWORTH COUNTY VETERANS DAY PARADE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023
PARADE BEGINS AT 10:30 AM
All parade participants are to go to Parade Info Booth, LV Public Library, 417 Spruce Street, west parking lot, the morning of parade to get staging instructions. Booth opens at 7:00am.
2023 Theme
"Honoring Our Veterans Services Past and Present"
Veterans Day is the American name for the International Day of Remembrance called Armistice Day. It falls on 11 November, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended the World War One. It is a federal holiday and a state holiday in all 50 states. The same day is observed elsewhere as Remembrance Day or Armistice Day.
All major hostilities of World War 1 were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. Armistice Day was first commemorated in the United States by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, and many states made it a legal holiday. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 inviting all Americans to observe the day, and made it a legal holiday nationwide in 1938. The holiday has been observed annually on November 11 since that date - first as Armistice Day, later as Veterans Day - except for a brief period when it was celebrated on the fourth Monday of October.
Flag Etiquette
Parades and Saluting the Flag: All should rise when the US flag passes in a parade. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
The Sounding of Taps and Etiquette
Veterans Day is a time in which we remember and honor those living veterans who have and continue to serve. But as with most military traditions there is a time to pause and remember those who have gone before. With that in mind, it is appropriate to take time during a Veterans Day ceremony to remember those who have died and also honor those still with us with the sounding of Taps.
What do I do when I hear Taps?
"One question I get often is what to do when Taps is sounded. What exactly is the protocol? In a nutshell, it’s the same protocol as when you hear the national anthem."
– All present not in uniform should stand at attention with the right hand over the heart;
– Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart;
​– Individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of Taps and maintain that position until the last note (note: if you are inside and uncovered, you stand at attention);
– Veterans and active-duty service-members not in uniform may render the hand salute;
– If you are inside and not in uniform it is proper to stand during Taps
– When Taps is sounded in the evening as the final call of the day at military bases, salutes are not required.
There are about 19 million military veterans in the United States.
PARTICIPATION AROUND THE WORLD
Armistice Day to Veterans Day
On November 11, 1953, the citizens of Emporia, Kansas staged a Veterans Day observance in lieu of an Armistice Day remembrance.
Representative Ed Rees of Emporia, Kansas subsequently introduced legislation into the House of Representatives to officially change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day [1]. Following a letter-writing campaign to secure the support of all state governors in the observance of this new holiday, the name of the holiday was changed to Veterans Day (enacted 1 June 1954), to honor those who served in all American wars. The day has since evolved as a time for honoring living veterans who have served in the military during wartime or peacetime, partially to complement Memorial Day, which primarily honors the dead. There has been some discussion of whether a person's veteran status depends upon his/her retirement or discharge from any of the armed forces. However, the term applies to any that have honorably served their country or that have served in a war zone as directed by their superior officers or as directed by lawful orders given by their country.
Veterans Day in other countries
Many nations within the Commonwealth of Nations observe Remembrance Day on the same date, but it is actually closer in spirit to Memorial Day. New Zealand and Australia also observe Anzac Day on 25 April. Other Allies of World War I have similar observances on November 11. Veterans Day was introduced in the United Kingdom commencing 27 June 2006, to celebrate the contribution of all those who have served in the UK's armed forces.
