Military veterans remembered with tradition, community events

SIDNEY -- Veterans Day in Sidney started with volunteers who raised the flag at Legion Park.

It isn't just any flag, or any size. It is the U.S. flag, flown high above the trees, and large enough to be seen.

The day also included the annual bean feed at the Sidney Elks Lodge, and a concert at Sidney High School.

Whitney Whatley and her daughters helped at the Bean Feed. 

"To me, Veterans Day is important because we have so many veterans who came before us that paved our way, veterans that come before us and served with us and will continue after our time, so, they answered the, the ultimate call to serve a greater purpose than their own," she said.

Whatley added Veterans Day is a good day to thank those who signed the dotted line, some with their sacrifice.

Vickie Morlock also attended the Veterans Day annual event.

"The reason it's so important is I have had several family members that were in the Service. It's a way for me to remember them and honor their service," Morlock said.

Kae Nelson said Veterans Day services are to honor the veterans who didn't come home. He said they paid the full price; we're paying in installments. 

Kaydie Whatley spent the evening helping veterans with her sister Gracynn. 

"Veterans Day is important to me because a lot of people in my life are role models for me and they were veterans, or they are veterans, and they have shown me what bravery and courage is, and even had me considering going in myself and serving the country because of how good a people they became," Kaydie Whatley said.

Veterans Day started more than 100 years ago. In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.

According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, World War I, known then as "The Great War," officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles, signed June 28, 1919. Fighting stopped seven months earlier when the Allied nations and Germany entered an armistice agreement.

The armistice went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. 

The annual bean feed at the Elks Lodge attracted a crowd of Veteran supporters who took part in a variety of ham and bean soup, or mac & cheese if preferred, and homemade cornbread.